Decoupling bill threatens thoroughbred horse racing industry
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Equine industry stakeholders in Marion County are expressing concern after a bill advanced through a subcommittee of the Florida House that would affect the requirements of thoroughbred permits.
If signed into law, House Bill 105 would authorize thoroughbred permitholders to elect not to conduct live racing, effectively decoupling the casino and gaming industry from the thoroughbred racing industry.
This would allow a racetrack to operate a stand-alone casino, with no requirement to fund the breeders and racers through the gambling permits.
“This decoupling of gaming from live horse racing will eliminate the 33,500 jobs supported by Florida's worldrenowned Thoroughbred industry and may well be the death knell for Thoroughbred racing nationwide,” wrote the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and
Owners’Association.
Locally, the bill could pose a huge threat to Marion County’s economy as the horse capital of the world. The horse industry in Ocala-Marion County generates about $4.3 billion in revenue to the economy annually, which accounts for about 22% of the nationwide gross domestic product, according to a 2023 study by the FTBOA.
“The industry also supports 28,500 jobs, about one in five in Marion County, with 56% of those jobs related to thoroughbreds.” according to FTBOA.
The bill relates specifically to the Gulfstream Park and would allow Tampa Bay Downs to decouple live racing from casino operations. The bill is currently in the Commerce Committee of the Florida House of Representatives.
On Feb. 18, FTBOA announced that it has launched a committee named the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, that will be chaired by David O’Farrell of Ocala Stud.
“This bill prioritizes corporate interests over horsemen, breeders and our industry’s huge agri-business and tourism contributions,” O’Farrell said. “We must take a stand now to ensure thoroughbred racing has a future.”
The committee will partner with Ocala Breeders’ Sales, the leading seller of 2-yearolds in training worldwide, which also issued a letter staunchly opposing the bill and encouraging other industry leaders to do the same.
“Owners, breeders, trainers and all horsemen have options when considering where to race and breed. Hence, it is vital that Florida continues to support Thoroughbred racing and breeding and not force businesses and jobs to flee Florida to more welcoming states,” wrote OBS.
OBS said if the bill passes it would have the potential to create impacts nationwide—not just in Florida.
See Horse racing, page A8
Marion County bird watchers set 2024 records
Tom Hince was the first to record 300 species locally; Tami Reece documented 253 species to top the prior record.
By Michael Warren Special to the Gazette
LLocal veterans can get cancer test at no cost
Those who served “boots on the ground” in the Vietnam War, Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism may be eligible for the Galleri screening.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Veterans exposed to life threatening carcinogens from sources such as Agent Orange and burn pits can now get the $950 Galleri blood test, which detects more than 50 types of cancer, for free at the Vet Resource Center in Ocala.
The website for the parent company of the Galleri blood test, GRAIL, Inc. Healthcare, in Menlo Park, California, states that the “Galleri test can be taken annually as a simple blood test and screens for a ‘fingerprint’ of many of the deadliest cancers before they become symptomatic…”
VRC leaders hope, as well as individual veterans, that local law enforcement and first responder agencies, as well as businesses owners, will encourage those who work with them who are veterans to get a Galleri blood test if they qualify.
Providing the Galleri blood test locally through the VRC was made possible by a $300,000 grant from the Marion County Hospital District and a $50,000 Marion County Community Development Block Grant.
Marion County commissioner Craig Curry, liaison with local veterans organizations, was involved
See Veterans, page A5
ocal birders soared past previous records in 2024 for the number of species spotted in Marion County. Tom Hince of Dunnellon spotted 268 species during the year and became the first person to record 300 species in the county.
"Tropical storms that roared through the county totally changed the game," Hince said. "It brought a bounty of 15 or more additional species, greatly increasing everyone's year totals."
To date, 310 species of birds have been recorded in Marion County on eBird, an app from Cornell Lab of Ornithology that maintains a database of bird sightings. In addition to the storms,
Subscribers will receive their paper through USPS on the USPS schedule. Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order
Lesser scaup passing the moon [Photo courtesy Tom Hince]
Veteran Steve Petty, director of the Vet Resource Center. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman]
Super Ana, Hip 340, a Chestnut Filly by Palace Malice and consigned by C&J Stable, is breezed across the wire during the Under Tack Show at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. The OBS Under Tack Show was held the day before the start of the OBS Winter Mixed Sale, which is being held on Tuesday, Jan. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. The thoroughbred sale includes horses of racing age. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
Reddick Park groundbreaking held
By Caroline Brauchler Caroline@ocalagazette.com
Construction on Reddick’s first public park has begun as the county held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site last week.
The park at 15630 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick, is slated for a playground, restrooms, sidewalks and a parking lot, constructed by Foundation Services of Central Florida Inc.
“This park provides residents a space where families can gather, children can play, and the
community can come together,” wrote Marion County officials. Present at the event were Reddick
Mayor John Vetter, the Reddick Town Council, Marion County commissioners, Parks & Recreation staff, and Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership members.
The project has a budget of $450,000, according to the county.
Foundation Services of Central Florida Inc. received a $287,913 bid from Marion County on Dec. 17 to complete the project. The funding will be split between the county’s general fund and the town of Reddick’s budget.
“Reddick Park, located in the heart of the town, was a former Marion County Sheriff’s Office substation location and will now serve as the town’s first public park,” according to the county.
The park will have a portion of an existing road removed, a twostall restroom constructed, and receive sidewalks, fencing, and have the existing parking lot restriped, according to Marion County.
“This park will create a space for the community to enjoy outdoor recreation, provide community engagement and promote public health,” according to the county.
Bombing incident causes fire in Ocala National Forest
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
ANavy training exercise went awry on Feb. 12 when an F-18 dropped a live bomb outside of the Pinecastle Bomb Range, starting a wildfire in the Ocala National Forest.
During the authorized bombing schedule on Feb. 12, a Navy F/A18F Super Hornet dropped a live bomb intended to hit its target at the Pinecastle Range Complex but instead was dropped about 6 miles to the north.
The explosive started a forest fire that spread about 20 acres before being contained by the U.S. Forest Service Firefighters.
The fighter jet was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron ONE THREE ONE (VFA-131) out of the Naval Air Station in Oceana, Virginia, according to Naval Air Station Jacksonville spokesperson Matthew Riggs.
“No personnel were injured in the fire. The Navy has not received any reports of private or personal property damage,” wrote Riggs.
An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
The Navy was scheduled to conduct both live and inert bomb training at the range from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 10-12 and from 8:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 14.
Live and inert bombings also were scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 18-20.
Bomb testing happens relatively
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frequently at this site, which is the only place on the East Coast of the United States where the Navy trains with live bombs.
Ocala has played a pivotal role in naval operations since the early 1940s, when the War Department acquired more than 40,500 acres of the forest for what was then called the Lake Bryant Bombing and Gunnery Range, according to NAS Jacksonville. Through World War II, the U.S. Army Air Force Command used this range, as part of the Pinecastle Army Field and Orlando Army Air Base, for rocket missions, bombing practice, ground gunnery and firefighting.
In 1951, the Navy acquired a portion of the range, which has continuously been in operation
ever since to help train military personnel.
Today, this unique portion of the Ocala National Forest is used as a training location so military pilots can get real-life training in a realistic environment.
“The Pinecastle Range is the only U.S. East Coast training facility authorized for the release of explosive air-to-surface ordnance, including close air support, an essential factor in air warfare training,” according to NAS Jacksonville.
Synthetic training, such as the use of simulators, is commonly used within the Navy for training. The Ocala National Forest offers a kind of training that cannot be simulated, however, and is instrumental for pilots who specialize in air strikes, according to NAS Jacksonville.
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.
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An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Wildcats” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 is
[Photo courtesy Marion County]
Career and Technical Education carves paths
By Lauren Morrish lauren@ocalagazette.com
As February is Career and Technical Education Month, students shared how Marion County CTE programs help them forge their future paths.
Marion CTE Coordinator Kathy Otte introduced two participating CTE students to share their different journeys in the program with the Marion County School Board during its Feb. 11 meeting.
“Students who complete a CTE Program have marketable work skills that can lead to careers or allow students to enter into post-secondary education with the prerequisite courses completed,” according to Marion CTE.
Dunnellon High School sophomore Emma Grace Duhs represented the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources pathway.
Duhs is the president of Marion County’s Future Farmers of America and is an ambassador of the Southeastern Youth Fair, an organization that “sparks passions for agriculture.”
Otte said this will be the 85th fair, and it will occur at the end of February.
Duhs said she showed her first market steer at the fair when she was eight years old, and because of that experience, her passion for agriculture has grown stronger.
Duhs said the fair is now the largest all-youth event in Florida.
“As we continue to add new contests and activities to our schedule, we give each and every child ages five through 18 an opportunity to find a place in the agricultural industry,” she
said. “To add, the wide range of shows available to exhibitors helps youth in Marion County try something new and gain valuable experience along the way.”
Duhs said she and thousands of other attendees have made countless memories at the fair and the event has left a lasting mark on her life.
“I strongly encourage all of you to visit the Southeastern Youth Fair and see firsthand just how much of an impact agriculture is making all over our county,” Duhs said.
Belleview High School
senior Lindsey Reimsnyder then discussed her time in the Culinary Arts program, part of the Hospitality CTE pathway.
“The CTE program grants students the ability to explore and embrace our personal interests outside of our core classrooms,” Reimsnyder said. She said students choose a pathway based on their own aspirations.
Reimsnyder’s goal is to be a world-renowned chef but said she had questions and doubts about the stepping stones to achieve it.
“However, it has proven to not be as impossible as I once thought due to the help, support and unconditional devotion of my culinary teacher and those within the industry,” she said.
Due to the CTE program, Reimsnyder said she has participated in competitions, networking and catering events— such as the Food and Wine Festival where she has met and worked beside famous chefs.
“To me, this has been a major contribution in solidifying my passion and has even gone as
far as to somewhat redirect my path as I have now realized greater possibilities in this field,” she said. “In having one-on-one conversations with the celebrity chefs, it has been life-changing for me.”
From networking through Bellview, Reimsnyder got an internship with World Equestrian Center Chef and “rising Food Network star,” Yohann Le Bescond.
“To be honest, it would have been shocking to enter the industry without knowing, seeing or experiencing what I have been able to throughout my culinary program,” she said.
Reimsnyder thanked the organizations that brought her and other pathway students these opportunities, including the school board and the CTE department.
“To this day my traveled path is still somewhat surreal to me,” she said. “So, thank you for all you have done. It means more to me and all the students than can ever be expressed and hopefully, we can one day give back to the city that we grew up in.”
CTE GROWTH
Otte said 39 CTE pathways are offered within the school district, with programs available at every middle and high school in Marion County. Over 15,000 students are enrolled in a program, and 1,884 CAPE Industry Certifications were received last year.
A CAPE certification may count toward college credit and help students be more college and career-ready, according to the Florida Department of Education.
“Every year, we continue to grow those numbers thanks to our amazing teachers,” Otte said.
Marion County School Board members stand with Emma Grace Duhs (middle left) and Lindsey Reimsnyder (middle right) to congratulate their career pathway presentations on Feb. 11. [Photo courtesy MCPS Director of Public Relations Kevin Christian]
Big Springs STEM Fair showcases student achievements
More than $40,000 in prizes were awarded during the regional event.
By Erin Benavides, Big Springs Regional STEM Fair director Special
to the Gazette
Last week the annual Big Springs STEM Fair showcased the incredible talents of young scientists, awarding more than $40,000 in prizes on Feb. 7 at the Browne Greaton Cole Auditorium at Marion Technical Institute in Ocala.
A total of $4,000 in cash special awards were distributed to outstanding projects, recognizing creativity, scientific rigor, and problemsolving skills. Additionally, eight exceptional students earned all-expenses-paid trips—valued at $40,000 collectively—to compete at the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio, from May 10-17, where they will represent Big Springs on a global stage.
The competition was fierce, with 32 out of 170 projects advancing to the State Science and Engineering Fair, which will take place March 25-27 in Lakeland. Among these, 15 projects come from Marion County Public Schools, with three from The Cornerstone School, three from Saint John
Lutheran School, two from South Sumter High School, two from The Villages Charter High, five from Wildwood Middle High and one from South Sumter Middle School.
Marion County finalists advancing to the international fair include Megha Sandrapaty from Forest High and Gabrielle Javelona and Alexandra Laciuga from Vanguard High. Sumter County finalists advancing to ISEF include Gerardo Cardoso and Jordan Mirando from Wildwood Middle High School, Brady Kline and Sarah Colley from The Villages Charter High School and Alynza McBride from South Sumter High School.
The achievements of our students are a testament to their hard work, dedication and passion for discovery. We
are incredibly proud to support and celebrate their success, and we extend our gratitude to everyone who made this event possible.
The Big Springs STEM Fair continues to inspire future innovators by providing a platform for young minds to explore their potential. The unwavering support from sponsors, educators and volunteers ensures that students have access to resources and opportunities that will propel them toward successful careers in STEM fields.
For more information about the Big Springs STEM Fair, a full listing of awards, and to learn how to support next year’s event, please visit marionschools.net/ bigsprings
By Susan Smiley-Height
HOSPITALS CELEBRATE NEW OPERATING ROOMS AND TOP RATINGS
HCA Florida West Marion Hospital has cut the ribbon on a larger operating suite, the first in a series of projects to expand treatment areas within a new patient tower. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and West Marion Hospital have announced they are among America’s best hospitals for 2025.
On Feb. 13, HCA Florida West Marion Hospital hosted a ribbon cutting for the $15.3 million project that adds four new operating rooms.
“A year ago, we broke ground on a new $120 million expansion. We did so because we recognized the impending impact of future growth and because we recognized a need to create access for patients north and west of Ocala, ensuring they don’t have to travel for exceptional care. Today we see the first fruits of that project, four brand new operating rooms,” said Isaiah Zirkle, chief executive officer, in a prepared statement.
“The population growth in Marion County of the past 20 years requires our community’s medical establishment and infrastructure to evolve and grow along with it. The addition of these operating rooms reflects that need,” stated Dr. James Duke, a member of the hospital’s board of trustees.
The overall project includes 42 additional medical surgical beds, a second-floor shell for future expansion, four more elevators, an additional 247 parking spaces and the relocation and update of the engineering plant.
The hospital, along with HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, was recently recognized as No. 1 in the state for orthopedic surgery, spine surgery and vascular surgery and No. 2 in the state for joint replacement and surgical care.
Healthgrades, an online site people use when searching for a doctor or hospital, recently named both hospitals to its list of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2025, putting them in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance.
MARION COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICES EARN AWARDS
Marion County has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for its fiscal year budget beginning Oct. 1, 2024.
According to GFOA, the award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement.
“It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device,” noted the news release.
Budget documents must be rated proficient in all four categories and in 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award. This is the second year Marion County has received the award, under the direction of Clerk of Court and Comptroller Gregory C. Harrell and Budget Director Audrey Fowler.
Additionally, the Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by GFOA for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2023.
The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report, according to GFOA.
This is the 39th consecutive year the office has received this award and the fifth year in a row for Harrell.
The Big Springs STEM Fair International Science and Engineering Fair Finalists are, from left, Megha Sandrapaty, Alexandra Laciuga, Gabrielle Javelona, Jordan Miranda, Alynza McBride, Brady Kline, Sarah Colley and Gerardo Cardoso. [Submitted photo]
Marion County Public Schools Superintendent Diane Gullett, left, shakes hands with Megha Sandrapaty of Forest High School, during the Big Springs Regional STEM Fair. [Submitted photo]
On Feb. 13, HCA Florida West Marion Hospital hosted a ribbon cutting for a larger operating suite, the first in a series of projects to expand treatment areas within a new patient tower. [Submitted photo]
SR 200 construction update meetings set for Feb. 26
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a construction update open house regarding safety improvements on State Road 200 from east of Interstate 75 to U.S. 441/U.S. 301/U.S. 27 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 26. The meetings will be in person and accessible online.
According to FDOT materials, the purpose of the project is to enhance safety by adding raised medians to help manage conflicting turning movements.
The in-person meeting will be held at the Ewers Century Center at the College of Central Florida, Room 107, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. Attendees can view a looping presentation and project displays, speak with project team members and submit comments or questions.
Online opportunities are:
• A webinar at 5:30 p.m. to watch a project presentation and submit written questions or comments using the webinar questions box. To attend using this option, register at attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/562261004025065054.
• Visit the project website at www.
Veterans
Continued from page A1
in connecting VRC with multiple funding sources and Marion County Community Services was instrumental in helping VRC secure county funding for administering the Galleri blood test.
Stacie Causey, public relations manager for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, stated that at least one test administered by VRC revealed results that indicated additional medical attention was needed for the person tested.
Calls to the Marion County Hospital District for a comment about the grant and the test now being provided locally were not immediately returned.
The VRC is offering the blood test, which screens for cancers including in the lung, liver and colon, at no cost to veterans over 21 who served “boots on the ground” in the Vietnam War, Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism.
The VRC has been providing the Galleri blood test for several weeks by using an outside laboratory but by the latter part of February will have techs on hand to administer the test at their location.
The article “February is National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month” posted on the Veterans Administration website va.gov states that thousands of cases of cancer are diagnosed annually by the VA healthcare system.
“Approximately 56,000 veterans are diagnosed with cancer every year in the VA system. For particular cancers diagnosed within VA, approximately 10,000 cases of prostate cancer, 7,700 cases of lung cancer, and 3,200 cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed each year in veterans,” the site states.
The GRAIL website posts the following: “The Galleri test does not detect a signal for all cancers and not all cancers can be detected in the blood. False positive and false negative results do occur. The Galleri test should be used in addition to healthcare provider recommended screening tests.”
VRC, an information and education resource for all veterans, is located in the Marion County Veterans Resource Center at 2730 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
VRC was formed in 2023 by volunteers retired U.S. Army captain Steve Petty, director, and his wife, Joan Petty, secretary and director; U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bob Levenson, CEO, and his wife Grace Dunlevy, director;
cflroads.com/project/439234-1 to watch the project presentation, view project exhibit, and submit questions to the project manager.
Online project materials will be available Feb. 26 and will be the same
as those shared at the in-person event. While the information will remain on the website throughout the project, comments or questions must be entered by March 10 to have them included in the open house record.
and USMC veteran Todd Belknap, CIO, treasurer and director.
The VRC is a 501(c)(3) with a volunteer board of directors that includes a number of veterans and Curt Bromund, CEO of the Marion County Hospital District.
The VRC’s mission statement notes that the organization strives to be a “one stop shop” with information on resources for veterans about Agent Orange, radiation, overall physical and mental health, employment, housing service dogs, posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and other issues.
Meanwhile, the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT), passed in 2022, “expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans— and their survivors —with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve,” according to va.gov.
PACT includes the following benefits:
• Expands and extends
Crash claims life of Summerfield man
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Atwo vehicle crash in southeast Marion County the morning of Feb. 16 claimed the life of a 53-yearold Summerfield man, the Florida Highway Patrol has reported.
The victim was driving a white Ford Escape south on U.S. Highway 301/27 north of Southeast 147th Street while a white Hyundai, which had stopped at a red blinker on Southeast 147th Street facing west, turned left to travel south on U.S. 301/27, according to the FHP press release. The crash occurred around 8:45 a.m.
The victim’s vehicle collided with the right rear of the Hyundai and the rear of the victim’s car also struck a tree, which fell on top of the vehicle. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 78-year-old Summerfield man, refused EMS transport. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.
eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
• Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptiveexposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps improve research, staff education and treatment related to toxic exposures.
Mary (Katie) Butler, public affairs specialist, Office of Communications & Outreach, VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care Veterans Affairs, stated in an email that the Galleri test is being used as part of a research study at certain VA facilities but other cancer tests are also available.
“The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System does not offer the Galleri test. The test is part of the protocol for a multi-site VA research study. Miami and Tampa are
the VA facilities within VISN 8 participating in this research study. While NF/SGVHS does not offer the Galleri test, we offer similar testing for clinical purposes as part of our National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP),” Butler wrote.
The NPOP program, using tumor molecular testing, provides “precision oncology to predict more accurately which cancer treatment strategies will work best for each Veteran. This personalized approach, accomplished through NPOP, can ultimately lead to improved outcomes and quality of life,” va.gov states.
The VA website indicates 126 VA facilities are participating in NPOP and 18,000 veterans are receiving the care.
Berny Medina, 38, served in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2018, including stints with special operations when he worked with SEALS and Rangers. He found taking the Galleri blood test to be a great relief.
He said his deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines
and Africa exposed him to harmful toxins from burn pits and exposure to radiation.
“It’s the new Agent Orange,” Medina said of the toxins.
When Medina returned home after seeing “horrible” things and dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury and the loss of friends was “too much
Medina, who has been homeless and has attempted suicide three times, said worrying about the effects of the toxins and radiation added another layer.
He decided to get the Galleri cancer screening test but had to travel to Tampa where it was then offered by the VA.
Getting a clean bill of health as far as the cancer screening gave him peace of mind.
“I feel God saved me to help fellow veterans,” said Medina, who is chief of operations with Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans.
To learn more, go to vetresourcecenter.com or call (352) 843-8212.
Veteran Todd Belknap, treasurer and director of the Vet Resource Center. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman]
The Veterans Resource Center in Ocala houses a number of organizations, including the Vet Resource Center, through which veterans may be eligible for the Galleri blood test at no cost. [File photo by Amy Davidson].
Veteran Bob Levenson, CEO of the Vet Resource Center. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman]
Motorists drive on State Road 200 in Ocala. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman]
Festival fun for a great cause
Proceeds from the Habitat Ocala
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
The 11th annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival on March1 will raise funds for Habitat for Humanity of Marion County to build a “Strawberry House” for a qualified family in need of affordable housing.
The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McPherson Governmental Complex at 602 SE 25th Ave., Ocala. A highlight of the event will be a car show featuring a wide variety of cars, motorcycles, off-road vehicles and more. Recent years have seen as many as 100 vehicles on display at the event.
Bob Wannall plans to display his 1964 and 1982 Buick Rivieras. The 1964 has been in his family since his father purchased it new.
“I only got to drive it to the prom back then,” Wannall said with a laugh.
The Marlin Blue color 1964 Riviera is original except for the seat covers and has 141,000 miles on the odometer. Power is provided by a 340 hp, 425 cubic inch V-8 engine.
The 1982 white Riviera convertible with a 307 cubic inch V-8 engine was purchased about six years ago from someone on Marco Island and “needed some love,” Wannall said.
Wannall is a member of the Riviera Owners Association, which notes on its website that only 1,248 of the
Strawberry Festival will help build a “Strawberry House” for a local family.
1982 convertibles were manufactured.
“The ‘82 Riviera has four-wheel disc brakes (while) the ‘64 has drum type brakes,” Wannall said. Wannall is pleased to support the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival because “it brings the community together to help a family in need attain an affordable home.”
Joe and Diane Schandl of New Smyrna Beach will display Joe’s blue 1959 MG speedster sports car.
“The MG was my first car back in 1971. I used it for school. My dad got me this car and it has been a
Bird watchers
Continued from page A1
the increased number of sightings can be attributed to the rapid growth of birdwatching since the COVID pandemic, as well as the proliferation of apps such as Merlin, which helps users identify species by photograph or sound.
Like many new birders, Tami Reece of Ocala took up birding during the pandemic. With a few years of experience behind her, she set out to make 2024 a "big year" by breaking Hince's previous record for the number of species observed in a single year.
She started out with the goal of a "big day," during which she recorded 107 species along with the help of a few friends from the Marion Audubon Society. Then she set out to complete a "big month" last January, where she recorded 152 species. But as the weeks stretched into months, finding new species became ever more challenging.
By the end of the year, she had logged 998 hours birding—not including drive time and research.
Reece not only broke the county’s previous record of 251 birds, set in 2021, but surpassed it by documenting 253 species, including 18 that were entirely new to her.
“It’s kind of like a fulltime job; maybe even two,” Reece said with a laugh.
lot of fun to work on and drive,” he wrote in part in a text. “We are always looking forward to doing
So, what occupies someone's mind during a thousand hours in the field?
"Birds, birds, and more birds," she said. "I had hope each day of finding a new rare bird. But by December I was preoccupied with 'when will this year get over with!'"
Beyond simply identifying birds, Reece challenged herself to photograph as many as possible to provide visual proof of her findings.
“Birding is largely an honor system, but when it comes to rare species, documentation is key,” Reece explained. “A picture speaks a thousand words.”
Among Reece’s most exciting discoveries was a Vaux’s swift, a bird never recorded in Marion County. She spotted it at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, a favorite local hotspot,
after noticing an odd group of swifts flying overhead. Carefully analyzing their flight patterns and coloration, she determined the swift was an out-ofplace visitor.
For Hince, the most exciting bird of the year was the black-capped petrel he spotted on Lake Weir after Hurricane Milton had passed.
"This is strictly an offshore/pelagic bird that has only been seen in the interior of Florida a few times," he said.
Hince's recordshattering year didn't come easily. He's been birding for more than 60 years. In 2024, he spent more than 100 days hunting birds. And there's far more to birding than merely "birdwatching."
"My effort was very targeted and focused. I spent hundreds of hours
car shows that give back to a great cause.”
Joanne
Black, development director with
Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, stated in an email that the goal is to raise $60,000. She called the festival “a missiondriven event dedicated to raising funds to build a decent, affordable home for a low-income family in need.”
“This event has successfully raised funds to construct a home lovingly named the ‘Strawberry House,’ a symbol of the community’s generosity and commitment to making homeownership a reality for low-income families. However, with the rising costs of construction
studying weather and bird movements on the internet.
A typical day started two hours before dawn making sure I was at my destination very early. On many great days, the best birding is early as birds orient themselves after a long night of migration or being blown around by storms. I rarely saw other birders until I was on my way out of a site, and when many of the best opportunities were over. But not every quest was successful. Hince searched more than a dozen times before finding an elusive
materials and labor, funds raised now cover only half the cost of a home,” Black stated.
“Thanks to the support of local businesses and community partners, additional resources are being provided to cover the remaining costs, ensuring that another deserving family will have a place to call home,” Black wrote, adding that more donations are needed and welcomed.
The Habitat for Humanity website describes what visitors can expect at the event: “The festival starts with over 235 unique and exciting vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberry food items that melt in your mouth, a bigger-than-ever car show with cool cars, trucks, and motorcycles, a pieeating contest, a BMX show, and a variety of live entertainment throughout the day.”
The event also will offer strawberries from Plant City for sale.
A number of area nonprofits will have booths and the event will be supported by 700 volunteers, including those from the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, who will assist with parking. The $5 cost of parking will go to benefit MTRA and Humanity for Humanity of Marion County programs.
For all the details, go to habitatocala.org/ strawberry
American bittern, an uncommon but regular winter visitor.
And Reece spent more than 40 hours searching for a yellow-crowned night heron, an uncommon but not unfamiliar local species.
“I kept hearing reports that people were seeing it, and I went back and forth so many times,” Reece said.
“I never found it.”
For those interested in learning about birds and birdwatching, to go marionaudubon.org and click on the “getting started” tab.
Sandhill cranes. [Photo courtesy Tami Reece]
Rufous hummingbird. [Photo courtesy Tom Hince]
Red-necked phalarope. [Photo courtesy Tami Reece]
Ovenbird [Photo courtesy Tom Hince]
Eastern bluebird. [Photo courtesy Tami Reece]
Strawberry shortcake will be on the menu at the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival. [File photo by Meagan Gumpert]
Bob Wannall plans to show off his 1964 Buick Rivera, right, and limited edition 1982 Rivera, left, at the festival. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Tom Hince [Submitted photo]
Tamy Reece [Submitted photo]
Southeastern Youth Fair sets new records
The annual event showcases a variety of skills of local FFA and 4-H members and helps them further their educations.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.
If there is a sign of spring in the air, Marion County youngsters and teens involved in 4-H and FFA will be getting ready to showcase a variety of skills in the annual Southeastern Youth Fair. And, according to SEYF Executive Director Sara LeFils, this year’s number of exhibitors and number of animals in one category are setting new fair records.
“This year we have 1,015 exhibitors, which is a record, and 3,353 entries. We have a record 168 market steers entered, along with 300 hogs, 77 lambs and 36 market goats,” said LeFils.
For many of the exhibitors, their endeavors started in the late summer of last year and involved feeding and caring for their animals.
“Exhibitors learn incredible life lessons when showing a market animal, beyond the lesson of understanding where your food comes from and the hard work of our farmers and ranchers who bring it to us. They learn the responsibility of caring for another living being that needs to be fed and cared for every day—even if it's raining or freezing. Our fair kids have to feed their animals before they leave for school or morning practice and then again in the evening around homework time,” LeFils noted of the time commitment each student must apply in caring for the animals.
A big part of each year’s fair are market shows and sales for steers, swine, lambs and goats, and members of the public can place bids on the animals. Proceeds from the sales often are used by the exhibitors to help further
their education.
“They also have to keep financial records, write letters to buyers, visit and shake hands with potential buyers, and practice public speaking with a prepared presentation to their club or chapter on a subject relative to their market animal species. There is truly no better hands-on learning than raising a project for the SEYF,” LeFils continued.
The mission of the SEYF is to recognize local youth in a showcase for competition, exhibition, educational opportunities and the promotion of self-esteem, personal growth and development while helping educate the community about the
importance of agriculture in the area.
The foundation of the fair was the Steer Show, which started in 1941.
The SEYF we know today started in 1978. The event remains the largest allyouth fair event in the state of Florida and the oldest all-youth fair in the U.S. that operates without a midway.
The event is held at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion on Jacksonville Road in Ocala and features competitions with steers, swine, goats, lambs, chickens, rabbits, horses and dogs; skills testing in tractor driving, cooking and home-crafts; and even an art category in which exhibitors 8 to 18 will paint
a seahorse and those ages 5 to 7 will paint a lamb.
“Our auditorium will display everything from photography to plants to decorated cakes to paintings and sewn quilts. And we have two new contests this year, a tablescaping competition and an Insectathon,” LeFils noted.
Each year’s SEYF is dedicated in honor of someone who has supported the endeavor and this year’s honoree is Lynn Nobles.
“Lynn recently retired from her position as director of Marion County IFAS Extension and before that served as Career & Technical Education director for Marion County
Schools. She's also a former ag teacher and a former Marion County 4-H member. She is a former SEYF executive board president, from 2013 to 2015. She has dedicated decades to agricultural education in our county and we are so excited to dedicate the fair to her this year,” LeFils offered.
“I am honored to have this year's fair dedicated to me. I have loved watching so many students engage in learning important life skills. These experiences allow students to build relationships with community leaders, experts in the industry and others interested in agriculture. I am blessed to have helped them achieve their
goals through our local agriculture youth fair,” Nobles shared via email.
When we asked LeFils what her favorite thing about the SEYF is, she replied: “I know that sometimes as we get older we worry about the future of our country and might often grumble ‘kids these days’ in a negative tone. In my humble opinion, there is nothing better to lift my spirits and encourage me about the future generation than to come watch the ‘blue ribbon young’uns’ at the SEYF. My favorite part is being surrounded by our generous community, who come out to support these kids, whether it's financially as a buyer or the volunteers who dedicate hundreds of hours of time and expertise.”
LeFils said she also enjoys knowing that many of the adult volunteers were SEYF participants when they were young.
“Sometimes they go three generations deep,” she said with emphasis.
“I've had three children who showed at the SEYF. The oldest is now a freshman in college out of state but he's already bought his flight ticket to come back this year to volunteer. As parents, we know we are never perfect with all our decisions, but this one I know we did right—we raised our kids at the Southeastern Youth Fair.”
The Southeastern Youth Fair is open to the public and free to attend. The event will run from Feb. 21 through March 1. Those who wish to bid in the market sales may do so in person or online.
For complete details, including the calendar of events, go to seyfair.com
James LeFils, 17, of the Trinity Catholic High School FFA, backs a trailer up between marking poles with a John Deere tractor as he is judged by Art Hammaker, left, in 2023.
In 2021, Brooke Sakuta, 11, of Caprine 4-H, showed off the belt buckle she won the prior year in Swine Jr. Showmanship at the Southeastern Youth Fair.
FFA members line up steers to be judged during the Southeastern Youth Fair in 2021.
Ruth Taddeo, 15, of the Belleview High School FFA and the Belleview Bald Eagles 4-H, looks over her conservation tray showing plants growing, crop rotation and tree planting in 2021.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
The $4.6 million OCALA Gateway Project Nears Completion
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
The "OCALA" letters are up, and the rest of the south gateway project on Interstate 75 is expected to be substantially complete by early March.
The gateway, currently being installed at the 42nd Street flyover, welcomes northbound traffic to Marion County and is funded entirely by tourist development tax revenue approved by voters by referendum in 2005.
The I-75 project consists of two county line markers, installed in late 2023, and two representative gateways. The second gateway will be located at the future interchange just north of Ocala, where the Buc-ee’s Ocala Travel Center is planned. The project is being constructed by Commercial Industrial Corporation, with a cost of $4,638,863, plus an additional 10% for contingency, according to Jessica Heller, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for Tourist Development Ocala/ Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.
According to a county press release, "The gateway project implements the vision of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners to introduce tourists driving through Marion County on I-75 to the county’s unique character."
"The Tourist Development Tax (also referred to as tourist tax, bed tax or resort tax) is a 4% charge on the revenue from rentals of six months or less. This tax applies to the short-term rental of any living quarters or accommodations in any hotel, apartment hotel, motel, resort motel, apartment, apartment motel, rooming house,
tourist camp, trailer camp, condominium, room or home.
The tourist development tax shall be charged by the person receiving the consideration for the lease or rental, and it shall be collected from the lessee, tenant, or customer at the time of payment," according to the Marion County Tax Collector's Office website.
The Tourist Development Tax is remitted to the Marion County Tax Collector but spending is overseen by the Tourism Development Council, structured to include one Marion County Commissioner, two elected officials representing municipalities (one must be from most populous city), three owners or operators of accommodations, and three at-large members interested in the tourism industry. According to county financial records, in the 2021-22 budget year tourism development tax collected totaled $4,842,627; in 2022-23 $5,368,965; and in 202324 $5,481,186.
Revenue from the tax is restricted for certain uses:
1. To acquire, construct, extend, enlarge, remodel, repair, improve, maintain, operate, or promote one or more:
a. Publicly owned and operated convention centers, sports stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums, or auditoriums within the boundaries of the county or subcounty special taxing district in which the tax is levied;
b. Auditoriums that are publicly owned but are operated by organizations that are exempt from federal taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C.
s. 501(c)(3) and open to the public, within the boundaries of the county or subcounty special taxing district in which
the tax is levied; or
c. Aquariums or museums that are publicly owned and operated or owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations and open to the public, within the boundaries of the county or subcounty special taxing district in which the tax is levied;
2. To promote zoological parks that are publicly owned and operated or owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations and open to the public;
3. To promote and advertise tourism in this state and nationally and internationally; however, if tax revenues are expended for an activity, service, venue, or event, the activity, service, venue, or event must have as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the activity, service, venue, or event to tourists;
4. To fund convention bureaus, tourist bureaus, tourist information centers, and news bureaus as county agencies or by contract with the chambers of commerce or similar associations in the county, which may include any indirect administrative costs for services performed by the county on behalf of the promotion agency;
5. To finance beach park facilities, or beach, channel, estuary, or lagoon improvement, maintenance, renourishment, restoration, and erosion control, including construction of beach groins and shoreline protection, enhancement, cleanup, or restoration of inland lakes and rivers to which there is public access as those uses relate to the physical preservation of the beach, shoreline, channel, estuary, lagoon, or inland lake or river.
Pedestrian dies after being struck by train
At approximately 1 a.m. Feb. 12, a CSX train “came in contact with a pedestrian” who died at the scene.
According to CSX Media Relations Director Austin Staton, the incident happened on the tracks located near Southeast Robinson Road and Southeast Baseline Road in Belleview.
“The Marion County Sheriff 's Office quickly responded to the scene and later reported that the individual was fatally injured,” the email noted.
The victim was a 66-yearold resident of an assisted living
Horse racing
Continued from page A1
“Having a vibrant horse industry in Florida that is competitive with other states protects an established, signature industry that not only provides a tremendous economic impact but promotes and preserves greenspace,” wrote OBS.
Marion County Commissioner Craig Curry brought up the bill at the Feb. 18 commission meeting,
Marion County Sheriff ’s Office absorbs Dunnellon Police Department
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office has assumed control over the Dunnellon Police Department for at least the next three months as the department seeks a new police chief.
MCSO Lt. Julie Vowinkel will now lead operations for law enforcement in Dunnellon, ending the city’s long history of maintaining its own police department. Dunnellon’s current police officers will remain on the force but will now serve under Vowinkel.
The agreement between the two agencies, made on Feb. 12, is temporary but will be revisited in a few months to determine a more permanent solution, said Dunnellon Mayor Walter Green.
“Sheriff Billy Woods has extended his hand to us for help, and we are very happy, especially with the results of this effort between the city and the county,” Green said. “We will determine in the future what is to be in a few months, but right now, this gives us the necessary breathing room and provides upfront most of what we need for our city, and that's the safety of our businesses and our citizens.”
The city has been ruminating over the future of its police department since December 2024, when then-Chief Chris Scaglione resigned in good standing from the force, after being placed on paid administrative leave by the Dunnellon City Council in November. Scaglione was placed on leave after a council member brought forward several issues of concern with Scaglione’s performance and the performance of the department.
Scaglione was appointed chief in June 2023 after the resignation of thenChief Mike McQuaid. Since Scaglione’s resignation, Capt. Ron Bray has led the department. Bray now serves directly under Vowinkel.
As part of the agreement, Vowinkel will report to Woods for dayto-day patrol, criminal
investigative or operative issues—not to any Dunnellon personnel or officials.
Councilmember Rex Lehmann expressed concerns about the city relinquishing this much control to MCSO. “Does that mean that we basically give enough control they run the department, and we can't, we don't have a say any more about the day-today issues or anything?” he asked.
Vowinkel assured the council at its meeting that she will work closely with Dunnellon officials hand in hand and that her door would always be open to hear any concerns that may arise with operations of law enforcement.
The sheriff has proposed a more permanent solution, including a contract that would cost Dunnellon $128,000 per deputy per year, at a total of about $675,000 a year. This would save the city over $620,000 per year in comparison to its current costs.
For now, MCSO will continue to pay Vowinkel’s salary and Dunnellon will pay for Bray and the six other DPD officers’ salaries.
Councilmember Valerie Hanchar welcomed Vowinkel, saying she looks forward to the cooperation that will ensue between the two agencies once Vowinkel becomes familiar with the officers and department’s jurisdiction.
“I think it's going to be a great opportunity for leading us into the future,” Hanchar said. “You can give us some great ideas from what you see now from within, to help us plan for our future next generations.”
urging the board to take a stance while the bill is still in early stages.
“If they decouple (Gulfstream) and they are able to build casinos, then their property becomes a lot more valuable, upwards of $2 billion is what I've heard,” Curry said. “It affects Marion County the most, from a racing standpoint and from a job standpoint.”
Commission Chair Michelle Stone suggested that the board
facility in Belleview, according to a Belleview Police Department report.
There were no injuries to the crew of the train.
“CSX extends its deepest sympathies to everyone impacted by this tragic incident and will continue to support local law enforcement as they complete the investigation,” Staton wrote.
issue a letter of support to be used in lobbying against the bill. Action may be taken at a later date.
“I do believe that it would be appropriate, should the board decide, to at least just offer a letter of support for FTBOA and their lobbying efforts to not allow that decoupling,” Stone said. “It would have an impact to our equine industry here in Marion County, pretty largely.”
Lt. Julie Vowinkel [Marion County Sheriff ’s Office]
Motorists drive on I-75 as a scene featuring horses is shown on the South Gateway to Ocala/Marion County on the SW 43rd Street Road overpass in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. According to a press release, the South Gateway project on Interstate 75 (I-75) is funded entirely by tourist development tax revenue from visitors, the project is nearing completion. The south gateway, currently being installed at the 42nd Street flyover to welcome northbound traffic to Marion County, is expected to be substantially complete by early March 2025. Marion County is working closely in partnership with the City of Ocala, through an interlocal agreement, and FDOT to ensure the success of this innovative project. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Commissioners make another step forward on impact fees
By Jennifer Hunt Murty Jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Marion County residents will get two opportunities in the coming months to weigh in on whether the county should raise certain impact fees on developers and reinstate others to offset the rising costs of transportation improvements and fire services brought on by new residents and businesses.
The Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 18 considered whether to abide by legislative restrictions limiting the increase of impact fees to no more than 50% unless a supermajority of the board approved doing so and that the county demonstrated an urgent need by showing “extraordinary circumstances.”
Ultimately, the commission decided to claim “extraordinary circumstances” so that they could use greater discretion over establishing how much in impact fees would be assessed without legislative restrictions.
At a Jan. 29 workshop, commissioners reviewed a study that indicated they do have extraordinary circumstances. The question remains whether they will adopt recommendations from a consultant and take steps to implement 100% of the recommended impact fees or set them at a reduced rate.
Since that workshop, county staff offered additional information to consider. Assistant County Administrator Tracy Straub explained that if the county restricted impact fees according to legislative direction to less than 50% they’d also be restricted to rolling out the increase incrementally over a four-year period.
Commission Chair Kathy Bryant said the board had already waited too long to reinstitute fire service impact fees, which were suspended in 2015, and to increase the county’s transportation impact fees. She said the four-year rollout of the fees would delay the collection of revenue the county needs now to meet more than $1 billion in backlogged road projects.
Commissioner Carl Zalak, who was first elected to the board in 2010, called the current rate of transportation impact fees “a joke” and acknowledged that the commission should have raised them a lot sooner.
Commissioner Matt McClain said he supported increasing impact fees but felt the legislative four-year step-up period allowed the local economy more time to absorb the higher costs. Commissioner Michelle Stone agreed with McClain and said she was not inclined to implement impact fee increases at the levels suggested by the consultant.
Impact fees are one-time assessments on new construction designed to offset the financial effects that new residential and commercial construction have on local infrastructure and public services.
In November, Marion County voters agreed to renew the county’s 1-cent sales tax add-on for 20 years. The revenue generated from the tax served to reduce the impact fees now recommended because it factored in both community needs and other funding streams.
Impact fees are not collected until building permits are pulled, which means local governments are behind in receiving funds to meet the impacts of the new growth.
Impact fees can be used for capital improvements to meet the needs associated with new development; however, the money cannot be used for prior debt or projects unless “there is a nexus showing use for need due to new growth,” explained the county’s consultant during the Jan. 29 workshop.
Impact fee and sales tax revenue cannot be used for operations costs, which means that growing personnel costs to meet growth needs must be funded elsewhere.
TRANSPORTATION
The transportation impact fees were calculated on a consumption basis. The consultant recommended the following impact fees for transportation:
FIRE/EMS
The impact fees proposed by the consultants were
Fire service impact fees would be assessed on all new construction outside the Ocala city limits. However, since Ocala relies on the county for ambulance services, those impact fees could be assessed countywide.
The large warehouses and multistory buildings that have been built in Marion over the past 10 years have created the need to have increased training and fire suppression apparatus. Zalak said that since those facilities have implemented additional fire suppression measures, such as sprinkler systems, the board should consider reducing their fire impact fees.
However, analysis from the Marion County Fire Rescue and the consultant did not support that conclusion because the department is still obligated to respond to a call for service even if the facility has installed a fire-suppression system.
In addition to impact fees paid by newcomers to Ocala, MCFR Chief James Banta is expected to return to the commission with a request to increase fire fee assessments that are part of every property owner’s bill outside the Ocala city limits. These fees can be used for operational costs, which will continue to increase as more personnel are hired to meet the growing population’s needs.
The county’s fire assessment has remained at an average of $199 per household. In the last couple of years, Ocala has increased its fire assessment fee to $364.15 for a single-family home with a square footage between 1,601 and 2,500.
County staff indicated they would address EMS impact fees with Ocala leaders during a joint workshop on March 13.
Marion County Parks & Recreation department looks for more funding
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
On the heels of considering assessing impact fees on newcomers for fire/ EMS and transportation services, Marion County commissioners are being asked to consider alternative funding mechanisms for capital projects for the Parks & Recreation department as well.
After hearing a detailed staff report, commissioners decided during their Feb. 18 meeting to hold off on a decision and return to the discussion after they’ve determined how to proceed with the question of raising or reinstating impact fees for fire/ EMS services and transportation needs.
NEEDS AND WANTS
In a Dec. 19 workshop, the department provided a list of needs for maintenance and replacement projects totaling $19,403,750. These are typically funded through park fees.
Additionally, county staff had a wish list for expansion projects to existing parks as well as to create new parks that totaled $97,624,864. Some of the projects on the list were revenue generating.
FUNDING ALTERNATIVES
TO EXPLORE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Although the potential for grants, sponsorships, publicprivate partnerships were acknowledged in the county’s presentation, commissioners were asked to explore bonds and taxation options used by other communities.
Since parks can also be a function of tourism to Marion County, funding for parks can also come from the bed tax, which is collected through a 4% charge (in addition to the 7.5% sales tax) on rentals of six months or less. This revenue totaled almost $5.5 million last year and has been used for other projects, including
gateway signage along Interstate 75.
During the Feb. 18 commission meeting, county staff provided the commissioners with a list of 25 other counties in the state that charge impact fees to newcomers for parks and recreation, including neighboring Alachua and Citrus counties.
Based on the comparison of impact fees, Marion County staff estimated the impact fees for parks could be assessed against new construction ranging anywhere from $202 to $4,956.
To assess the impact fees, legislation requires the commission to conduct a study assessing funding mechanisms and needs due to the influx of new development, as they did recently with fire/EMS and transportation.
The impact fee study could cost up to $70,000 and take up to eight months to complete, according to Jim Couillard, the Parks & Recreation director.
A referendum to voters for a bond would be required since it would be paid for by the general fund. Commission Chair Kathy Bryant indicated she leaned in favor of placing decisions like these with voters, so they could choose the level of service they wanted. However, county staff said that vote could not be scheduled earlier than the 2028 general election.
Jim Couillard, the director of Marion County Parks and Recreation speaks during a County Commission Capital Improvement Project Workshop in the County Commission auditorium at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala,
Carl Zalak, the Vice Chair of the Marion County Commission, speaks during a meeting of the Marion County Commission in the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
People, Places and Things
MCSO Cold Case Unit chairman retires
Jim Phillips has long been involved with numerous local organizations.
By Eadie Sickler Special to the Gazette
As of Feb. 11, Jim Phillips has finally retired; or so he says.
Phillips’ latest retirement comes after being a 20-year member of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit. He functioned as its chairman for the last three years but has served with the group since its inception in 2005. He credits the unit’s members for their “consistent, dedicated work in solving cold cases.”
The Cold Case Unit is only one of Phillips’ many civil service and philanthropic contributions to this community. He was a Marion County prosecutor for 24 years and before that was a prosecutor for Broward County. He was an adjunct professor at the College of Central Police Academy for 27 years.
Phillips and his wife, Connie, who was his high-school sweetheart, have been married for 58 years and are very active in the community. He was
a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ocala for 40 years and was involved in many projects, including the Reading is Fundamental program, giving books to students at selected schools throughout the years. He is a member of the Elks Club.
Additional entities to which Phillips has tirelessly given of his time, talents and expertise during his years in Ocala include serving on the advisory board of the E-Kel-KtnEckerd Camp in the Ocala National Forest, serving as a member of the Ocala Public Safety Commission for 19 years, serving as a Marion County Teen Court Judge, working on the United Way of Marion County Allocation Review Committee, teaching weekly classes for at-risk juveniles about choices and consequences while a part of the Mad Dads organization in West Ocala, serving as a precinct clerk for the Marion County Board of Elections and doing maintenance and upkeep projects with the Florida Trail System on the Cross Florida Greenway and in the Ocala National
Forest.
The Phillipses have both volunteered at the Fort King National Historic Landmark and Heritage Center.
Jim and Connie also have an impressive collection of antique ice cream scoops and memorabilia, which they delight in displaying at schools, churches and other organizations. They belong to an international group of collectors called the “Ice Screamers.” The group meets annually, and this summer will mark their 43rd anniversary when they gather in Ohio. The Phillipses have attended most of the annual gatherings.
“They are a great group of people,” he said. Every year, the Phillipses highlight an assortment of ice cream scoops and related items in the lobby of the main library in Ocala, on Silver Springs Boulevard. In a program there, they tell the interesting histories behind some of their “finds.”
The Phillipses enjoy local concerts, plays, theater performances and other entertainment venues
in Ocala, and are often seen “out and about.”
The couple loves professional baseball and has traveled to many ballparks across the country to watch teams in spring training. They have amassed about 8,000 major league players’ autographs on their baseball cards. They will be traveling to Northport soon to watch spring training for the Atlanta Braves.
In his “spare time,” Phillips enjoys hiking and loves the natural beauty and landscapes, forests and springs Marion County offers.
The newly named chairman for Cold Case Unit is Garry Ferguson. He has been involved in the unit’s activities for about 15 years, he said, and has been co-chairman for about three years. He was named Deputy of the Year for the State of Florida during his 30-year career in Sarasota at the Sheriff’s Department there. He lived for a time in Citrus County, followed by his move to Marion County. Altogether, Ferguson has spent about 54 years in the area of law enforcement, he said.
Members of the Marion County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit, back, from left, Wilston Bennett, Ray Carratala, Harry Carlile and Mike Thompson, and front, left to right, Carolyn Tanner, Jim Phiilips and Garry Ferguson, pose for a photo. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Jim Phillips poses for a photo outside Cracker Barrel in Ocala on Feb. 11, 2025. He is retiring as chairman of the Marion County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit after 20 years. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
CF’s Ira Holmes International Film Series hosts special event
In addition to viewing a film, attendees are asked to support a clothing drive for students.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The Ira Holmes International Film Series at the College of Central Florida will host two screenings of “Some Kind of Heaven” on Feb. 25. The 2020 documentary by Lance Oppenheim gives viewers a behind the scenes look at The Villages, which is America’s largest retirement community and is situated just south of Ocala.
Attendees at the two screenings, one at the CF Appleton Museum of Art and the other on the CF campus in Ocala, are asked to donate gently used professional attire to the CF Clothing Closet. Those who offer donations will be entered into a special giveaway drawing.
“Whether they are preparing for an interview or stepping into a new role, there are CF students who need our help to dress for success. The CF Clothing Closet empowers students in need to look and feel their best,” noted Wendy Adams, CF Humanities professor and film series director, in a news release.
The film will be shown at 2 p.m. at the Appleton, at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., and at 7 p.m. at the campus at 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110. Films at the Ocala campus are free to attend. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay regular admission. Films in the series may contain mature content.
For more details, visit cf.edu/ filmseries
HUGS Charities fundraiser will support local patients
This year’s event will honor longtime area banker and cancer survivor Tom Ingram.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Heartfelt. Unconditional. Giving. That sums up HUGS Charities of Ocala.
The organization provides temporary assistance to people who are actively in treatment for a cancer diagnosis, reside in Marion County and are experiencing financial hardship.
HUGS is affiliated with the Cancer Alliance of Marion County, which identifies needs and coordinates efforts to improve navigation of healthcare systems, resources, programs and services for those affected by cancer locally.
For each of the last 14 years, HUGS Charities of Ocala has hosted a fundraiser in honor of a cancer survivor. The 15th annual event, which will take place Feb. 24, will honor longtime local banker Tom Ingram.
“I am a cancer survivor. I had a stage-two melanoma skin cancer on my back. Follow up PET scans uncovered a Sonoma tumor on my C1/C2 vertebrae. The tumor was not malignant, but complications from the surgery caused a spinal cord injury that left me unable to walk,” Ingram shared.
The complications of the surgery were traumatic indeed for Ingram, who enjoyed an athletic life. He was born in Gainesville but has lived in Ocala for the past 30 years. He graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where he was captain of the water ski team and a cheerleader.
“During that time, we won Florida Southern’s first and only national championship in water skiing,” he said.
Ingram has been in the banking industry and has started four banks in Marion County, in addition to volunteering for numerous local organizations.
“I have spent a lot of time serving on many nonprofit boards in our community. I’ve been involved indirectly with HUGS for about 15 years. I had the privilege of introducing Albert Peek when he was the honored guest. We hosted many events at Gateway Bank for HUGS over the years,” Ingram offered.
Albert Peek Sr. founded an appraisal company, real estate firm, several investment companies and was a co-founder of the Country Club of Ocala. Even during his battles with glioblastoma and multiple myeloma he kept a positive spirit
and a sign in his front yard that said, “Good morning, world!” He also was known to start his mornings by stepping outside and shouting “Good morning, world!” He passed away on Oct. 27, 2023, and many roadside “Good morning, world!” signs in his memory can still be seen all around Marion County.
When asked if he had any advice for those diagnosed with cancer, Ingram said, “First of all, I would highly encourage preventative checkups, whether it be a colonoscopy or regular visits to the dermatologist.”
“I was lucky that Dr. Katherine Holloway caught my skin cancer early and I was able to get treatment at Moffitt (Cancer Center) before it spread to other parts of my body. Hearing the ‘C’ word is terrifying, with so many unknowns. We are blessed with a great medical community that can treat cancer and provide financial support through organizations like HUGS. I can’t say enough about how the Ocala community helped me through this difficult time through prayers, encouragement and love and support,” Ingram offered.
“When you get the cancer diagnosis, your world stops and suddenly things that seemed
important aren’t so much anymore,” Ingram recalled.
"We at HUGS are tremendously grateful to Tom Ingram for allowing us to honor him this year at our annual event. That gratitude extends to our second honoree, the Marion County Cancer Alliance, for their continued partnership and valuable support in the Marion County community," said Kay Rains, HUGS President.
"We hold each donor in such high esteem for their generosity and look forward, in excitement, to the community's partnership in fundraising this year. Last year we had the privilege to distribute $94,000 to cancer patients assisting with mortgages, rent, gas, utility bills and groceries. Thank you to all who support the event. Our financial success is attributed to you," Rains added.
The HUGS Charities of Ocala fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at Bank Street Patio Bar & Grill, 120 E. Fort King St., Ocala. It will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine, live music and a silent auction. All funds raised stay in Marion County to help local cancer patients. Tickets are $75.
For more information and tickets, go to hugscharities.org
[Image courtesy College of Central Florida]
Tom and Jennifer Ingram attended the 2023 HUGS fundraising event at Bank Street Patio Bar & Grill. Tom is this year’s cancer survivor honoree. [Submitted photo]
Ocala's Reilly Arts Center surpasses fundraising goal
Gala event raises more than $140K to support community access to the arts.
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
The Reilly Arts Center, Ocala's largest music arts venue, celebrated a successful fundraising gala on Feb. 13, exceeding its goal of raising $125,000 and bringing in more than $140,000 to support its mission of providing access to the arts for the community.
“The Reilly Arts Center is an important part of my life and the lives of many others in Ocala. It represents a commitment to diversity, unity and quality of life, reminding us of the power of the arts to connect, inspire and uplift. Through its offerings, the Reilly not only enriches our cultural experience but also strengthens the fabric of our community, making it a cherished gem that I will always support and advocate for," wrote Angie Lewis, chair of the center’s board of directors, following the event.
The fundraising efforts come at a crucial time for the arts in Florida, following Gov. Ron DeSantis' veto of $26 million in state arts funding for the 20242025 cycle. The 20252026 budget similarly slashed funding for arts organizations across the state. This has led to an even greater need for arts organizations like the Reilly Arts Center to have
a sustaining base of local supporters.
"At a time when local investment in the arts is so critical, our community truly stepped up to meaningfully contribute to the work we do every day. We feel privileged to be a part of the cultural fabric of Ocala, growing our programming and educational outreach as our community grows with it," Natalie McComb, the Reilly’s executive director, wrote to attendees in a follow up “thank you” email.
The Reilly Arts Center is a 705-seat venue located just five blocks
events, concerts, meetings and celebrations.
The Reilly also is home to the Community Music Conservatory, which was launched in Spring 2022 and offers group classes and private instruction in music for students of all ages and skill levels. The conservatory provides teaching studios, professional staff and faculty.
Jack Covell, from the conservatory, introduced attendees of the gala to the emerging talent of Hector Martinez-Johnson, 16, a student at Trinity Catholic High School. The teacher and student performed
“Naima,” by John Coltrane and “Four,” by Miles Davis. McComb indicated that the need is great for continuing sponsorships since many students want to continue their music studies after their sponsored year ends but are without the means to pay for them.
The enthusiastic generous spirit of gala participants also fueled the Ocala Symphony Orchestra's weekend performances of "Sound and Fury" on Feb. 15 and 16. The performances featured Mendelssohn's "Hebrides Overture," Anna Clyne's "Sound and Fury," with Ocala Civic Theatre Artistic Director Greg Thompson reciting a portion of Shakespeare's “Macbeth” to the music, and concluded with Beethoven's "Eroica" symphony.
"Last night’s Ocala Symphony performance was truly one of my favorite experiences on the podium," said Matthew Wardell, conductor of the OSO and music director for the Reilly. "Being surrounded by musicians who have become dear parts of my life over the last 16 years, in front of an audience who is so incredibly supportive of their orchestra, and bringing so much energy and vitality to three great works, was truly a night I will not forget. I love performing and it’s always fun, but some just stick with you."
To learn more about the center, including ways to offer support, go to reillyartscenter. com
from Ocala’s Historic Downtown Square, inside Tuscawilla Park. The venue serves as home
to the Ocala Symphony Orchestra in addition to providing spaces utilized for a diverse array of
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra's Jack Covell, on flute, and Community Music Conservatory student Hector Martinez-Johnson, on tenor saxophone, perform at the gala.
Ocala Symphony Orchestra Maestro Matthew Wardell and Reilly Arts Center board member William Nassal mingle in the Frank DeLuca Grand Lobby during the fundraising gala on February 3.
Natalie McComb, executive director of the Reilly Arts Center, left, announces that the gala fundraising donations exceeded $140,000, as board chair Angie Lewis celebrates.
Rebecca Rogers, left, vice chair of the Reilly’s board of directors, and Senior Director of Operations and Programing Adam Volpe, thank attendees during the gala.
Stacey Files converses with Haaz and Azim Saju during dinner the NOMA Black Box at the fundraising gala.
Photos by Amber Battillo
community
FEBRUARY 28
Black History Awards Gala
The “Night of Stars” event will be held at the Klein Center on the campus of the College of Central Florida. The 2025 inductees into the Black History Archives are Daniel Banks and TiAnna Harris. Clint Hart will receive the Unsung Hero Award and Rosemary Roberts will be recognized as a Beacon of Light. Additional honors will be given to school principals and assistant principals. Entertainment will be provided by the KDC Line Dancers. Tickets are $60 per person. To RSVP, go to marionschools.revtrak.net/HACC/hacc-black-history-award-gala/#/v/HACC-Black-HistoryAwards-Gala-Tickets
FEBRUARY 28
Benefit golf tournament
Stone Creek Golf Club, 9676 SW 62nd Loop, Ocala
11am
Members of multiple Stone Creek Community Clubs and friends of Bruce Kaplan are hosting a golf tournament and awards reception in his memory to raise funds for the Reilly Arts Center. The event includes lunch, followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Visit reillyartscenter.com/bruce-kaplanmemorial-golf-tournament to register.
MARCH 1
2025 Florida Lineman Competition
World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala
7:30am
The competition is where utility lineworkers from across the state compete as teams. They demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a fun and safe environment. Free admission. For more information, visit flpublicpower.com
MARCH 1
11th Annual Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival
McPherson Government Complex 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala
9 am to 5pm
The Habitat for Humanity of Marion County festival will have 235 vendors, a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, strawberries and strawberry food items for sale, a car show, a pie-eating contest, a BMX show and live entertainment. Many nonprofits will have booths and photo booths will be available. Free admission. Proceeds collected from parking ($5 per vehicle) will benefit the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and Habitat and be used to build a home. Learn more at habitatocala.org/ strawberry
The Southeastern Youth Fair is the premier event for Marion County 4-H and FFA members, who showcase everything from art to livestock. The event is a showcase for competitions, exhibitions, educational opportunities and the promotion of self-esteem and personal growth and development while highlighting the importance of agriculture and related industries in our area. Free for spectators. To learn more, go to seyfair.com
THROUGH MARCH 23
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit
HITS Post Time Farm, 137190 W. Highway 27, Ocala
Hours vary For four decades, the circuit has provided one of the largest equine shows in the country, with premier competitions for riders and horses of all levels. Learn more at hitsshows.com/hits-events/ hits-ocala-winter-circuit
THROUGH APRIL 6
Winter Spectacular Show Series
World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala Hours vary
This series offers world-class hunter/jumper competitions sanctioned by US Equestrian (USEF) and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The second leg of the Longines League of Nations will return March 18-23. Learn more at wec.net
SUNDAYS THROUGH MARCH 23
Ocala Polo: Winter Season
Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala
1pm Matches are family-friendly and don't worry if you don't know anything about horses or polo, come ready for a fun time tailgating with friends and they will teach you the rest. To learn more, visit ocalapolo.com
MARCH 13-16
Live Oak International
Live Oak Stud Plantation, 10570 W Highway 40, Ocala
Hours vary
This is the largest combined driving and show jumping competition in the United States and the weekend will feature plenty of equine action, vendors and more. For details, go to liveoakinternational.com
government
FEBRUARY 24, MARCH 3
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion.fl.legistar.com/ calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
MARCH 4 AND 18
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
9am
The commission meets in the morning of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala
4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview
6pm
Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendas-minutes
MARCH 12
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr. 5:30pm
The council generally meets the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
FEBRUARY 27
CDL Job Fair
Marion Technical College, 1014 SW 7th Road, Ocala 5 to 7pm
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion and Marion Technical College will host businesses recruiting Class A and Class B commercial drivers. There is no charge to attend but registration is recommended at bit.ly/CDL2025JobFair. Job candidates should bring printed resume and dress appropriately. Free employability assistance, including help with resumes and interview skills, is available at any CareerSource CLM career center in Ocala, Lecanto and Chiefland For details about the job fair, visit careersourceclm.com/event/cdl-job-fair-2/ or call 800-434-JOBS (5627).
arts
FEBRUARY 22-23
Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band Anniversary Concerts Marion Technical Institute, 1614 NE Fort King St., Ocala Sat at 2pm; Sun at 3pm
The Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band celebrates 35 years with a pair of shows. Directed by J. Craig Lilly, the concerts will highlight the past, present and future of the band. The opening act will be Uniqulele, an “a capella instrumental” ensemble of five. Entry to the concerts is free. Learn more at kingdomofthesunband.org
FEBRUARY 23
Opera at the Reilly: Puccini Love and Laughter
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 3pm The University of Florida Opera Theatre and OSO present two of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest works, “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi.” Both are one-act operas with supertitles. Find out more at reillyartscenter.com
FEBRUARY 28
Eirinn Abu Benefit concert
Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th Ave., Ocala
7pm
Eirinn Abu, Miami Sound Machine guitarist Manny Lopez and violinist Pedro Alfonso are set to deliver an exceptional performance with their “Anthem” tour, with proceeds benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. For tickets, go to csculturalcenter.com/events
THROUGH MARCH 12
“Michael Mallard: Recent Works Exhibit”
CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Mallard is an associate professor of visual arts at Albany State University, with a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. For more information, go to cf.edu/webber visit or call (352) 854-2322, ext. 1664.
Family owned and operated with over 25 years of experience. We take the utmost pride in the quality of our work. Remotely located in Central Florida.
Fresh strawberries will be for sale during the Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival on March 1. [File photo by Amy Davidson]
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN RE: THE PETITION OF LSGT SERVICES LLC d/b/a COINHUB BITCOIN
CASE NO.: 245312-CFA
NOTICE OF FILING OF PETITION FOR RETURN OF PROPERTY PURSUANT TO FLA. STAT. §812.061
A Petition Under Oath for Return of Property Pursuant to Fla. Stat. §812.061 (the “Petition”) has been filed in the
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF SANDRA J. FIRESTONE, DECEASED, CASE NO. 2024-CP-2213 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Sandra J. Firestone, deceased, whose date of death was July 30, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is, 110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
The personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The first date of publication of this notice is February 21, 2025.
Caleb V. Smith, Esquire, Attorney for Personal Representative The Florida Legal Advocacy Group, P.A. 445 NE 8th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34470 Florida Bar No.: 1008368 Tel 352-732-8030 Fax 888-399-3129 cs@ FlagOcala.com Joshua L. Moses, Personal Representative, 14445 NW Hwy 464B Morriston, FL 32668 THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
ROBERT M. MURPHY, JR. AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ESTATE OF BERT TRAUTMANN,DECEASED. Plaintiff, V. ESTATE OF JOAN HUNTER and ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST JOAN HUNTER, WHETHER
SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM
AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, OR CLAIMANTS. Defendants.
NOTICE OF ACTION
Case No.: 2025-CA-0075
To the following Defendants: Estate of Joan Hunter, any and all unknown heirs, beneficiaries, devisees, grantees, assignees, lienors, creditors, trustees, spouses, and all others who may claim an interest in the Estate of Joan Hunter Last known mailing address: 3410 SE 132nd Place, Belleview, FL 34420 Current address: Unknown YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action has been commenced to foreclose a mortgage lien on the following real property, lying and being situated in Marion County, Florida, more particularly described as follows: Lot 7, 8, and 9, Block 180, Belleview Heights Estates, Unit No. 15, according to the map or plat thereof as recorded in Marion Book F, Page 149, Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Together with that certain 1995 Pion Title #0068640925 and #0068640926. This action has been has been filed against you. You are required to serve a copy of your written defenses to this action, if any, on Caleb V. Smith, counsel for Plaintiff, whose address is 445 NE 8th Ave. Ocala, Florida 34470 within thirty (30) days. The original must be filed with the clerk of this court
Feb, 2025. Gregory C. Harrell As Clerk of the Court By: H. Bibb, Deputy Clerk CLERK OF COURT AND COMPTROLLER MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025-CP-382 IN RE: ESTATE OF JERRY FOSTER NORMAN Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JERRY FOSTER NORMAN, deceased, whose date of death was December 29, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, #1, Ocala, Florida 34471. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is February 21, 2025.
Personal Representative: BILL FOSTER NORMAN
Attorney for Personal Representative: SHANTA MATTHEWS, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 69935
814 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Suite D OCALA, FL 34470
Telephone: (352) 421-8722
Fax: (352) 306-3759
E-Mail: shanta@smatthewslaw.com
Secondary: lori@smatthewslaw.com
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN RE: ESTATE OF RAYMOND EDWARD SWAIN
Deceased. PROBATE DIVISION
File No. 2025-CP000184
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Raymond Edward Swain, deceased, whose date of death was December 22, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave #1, Ocala, Florida 34471. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is February 14, 2025.
Personal Representative:
//s// Carol Marie Denison Carol Marie Denison 92 Sweetbay Pk Youngsville, NC 27596
Attorney for Personal Representative : //s// Jennifer Isaksen Jennifer Isaksen, Esq. E-mail Addresses: jennifer@ isaksenlawfirm.com Florida Bar No. 519081
Law Offices of Jennifer Isaksen, PA 4076 E State Road 44 Wildwood, FL 34785 Telephone: (352) 793-4001
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2024-CA-2404One (1) 2006 Ford Mustang VIN: 1ZVHT85H465213694 Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 2006 Ford Mustang VIN: 1ZVHT85H465213694 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about December 11, 2024, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court.
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Sudoku By The Mepham Group
Forest cruises past Crestview
Wildcats beat Bulldogs in regional quarterfinals but lost semifinal game.
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
Forest placed three players in double figures, paced by freshman guard Tico Smith's team-high 19 points, and the Wildcats' utilized their height advantage to dominate the glass to register a 67-57 win over Crestview in Wednesday night's Class 6A-Region 1 quarterfinal.
The win improved Forest to 22-5 on the season and sends the Wildcats on the road for a regional semifinal game at Lake Howell on Monday night.
"Crestview is super aggressive and physical and we knew we had to match that and I thought our boys did a good job of stepping up," said Forest coach Mike Hoffman. "Tico got hot to start the game and that really got us going. We were balanced on offense because when one guy struggles another guy steps up and we've been doing that all season long."
Forest, the No. 3 seed in the region, came out hot to start the game as senior Sean Curry scored four of his 11 points, junior guard Chandler Davison added five points and Smith drained a pair of 3-pointers to give the Wildcats a 20-11 lead heading to the second period.
Crestview, which finished with a record of 19-6, made a run as junior Sean Johns scored four of his game-high 20 points and Marcus Chapman knocked down a pair of treys. Forest answered as Smith scored eight points, Curry added a 3-pointer and junior forward Trey Chisolm scored four of his 12 points in the paint as the Wildcats took a 39-28 lead into halftime.
Crestview, the No. 6 seed, which only had nine players, continued to play hard and Chapman buried another 3-pointer as part of a 15-point night, while Johns added another basket from behind the arc. Curry scored four tough points in the paint and senior guard Carson Davison added a layup and free throw as the Wildcats enjoyed a 52-45 lead heading to the final eight minutes.
The Bulldogs refused to quit and clawed within 54-51 on a 3-pointer from the right wing by Chapman with 5:30 left in the game. Forest kept its composure as senior Isaac Timmons had a pair of key putbacks and Chisolm, who had two thunderous dunks in the game, scored a
basket in the paint and added a free throw to extend the Wildcats' lead to 61-54 with 1:53 remaining to play.
Forest ran clock with each possession to seal the victory over the Bulldogs.
"We knew Crestview was not going to stop coming after us," coach Hoffman said.
"Their coach does a great job and there's no quit in that team. I'm proud of our guys for getting a big-time win at home."
Forest played No. 2 seed Lake Howell High School out of Orlando in a regional semifinal on Feb. 17. According to MaxPreps, Forest lost by a score of 31-42.
Trinity Catholic knocks off Bishop Snyder Celtics ease
past Cardinals in regional quarterfinals, loses to Jax team in semifinals.
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
Trinity Catholic senior guard Brionie Leahmon sliced and diced her way through the Bishop Snyder defense for a game-high 22 points to lead the Celtics to a 55-38 win over the Cardinals in Thursday night's Class 2A-Region 1 quarterfinal.
The win improved Trinity Catholic to 18-9 on the season and moves the Celtics into Tuesday night's regional semifinals.
"The girls played their hearts out and I'm incredibly proud of them," said Trinity Catholic coach Adam Boomhower. "We pride ourselves on defense and we played with a lot of intensity tonight. We knew they (Bishop Snyder) had one good shooter, and she got us a couple of times, but for the for the most part we did a good job on her."
Trinity Catholic, the No. 4 seed, got off to a fast start to open the game as Leahmnon scored five points and senior forward Sadie Garrett added five points, including a 3-pointer from
the right wing. Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville) answered with a run sparked by junior guard Shelby Gaines, who poured in 11 of her team-high 15 points to pull the Cardinals even at 12-12 heading to the second period. Bishop Snyder, which finished
the season with a record of 19-9, likes to shoot the 3-point shot as much as possible. The Cardinals went cold from the floor and Trinity Catholic took advantage as junior forward Jayhanna Owusu scored five of her 13 points and Leahmon exploded
for nine points, including a trey from the top of the key to give the Celtics a 29-22 lead at the half. Bishop Snyder, the No. 5 seed, played with a lot of grit and made a run to open the second half as sophomore forward Bryonna Grimes knocked
down a 3-pointer from the left baseline and scored five of her 11 points to narrow the Cardinals' deficit to 34-30 late in the third quarter. Trinity Catholic kept its composure and extended its lead as Owusu drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 38-30 Celtics heading to the final eight minutes.
Bishop Snyder made one last run as Grimes buried a trey and Gaines scored four points. Trinity Catholic worked the clock with each possession and sealed the victory as Garrett scored four points, senior center Nia Heppner added two baskets in the paint and senior forward Hailey Perkins made a pair of free throws to send the Celtics into the regional semifinals on Tuesday night.
"Defense leads to offense and that's what we needed to do to win tonight," coach Boomhower said. "We also did a good job of working the ball into the post and if it wasn't there to kick it back outside for an open shot."
Trinity Catholic lost to No. 1 seed Providence School on Tuesday
a
night by
score of 61-31, according to MaxPreps.
Trinity Catholic's Nia Heppner (21) and Bishop Snyder's Shelby Gaines (2) battle for a loose ball during a basketball game at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Trinity Catholic won the game 55-38. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Trinity Catholic's Sadie Garrett (33) and Brionie Leahmon (3) take the ball away from Bishop Snyder's Carolyn Caldwell (12) during a basketball game at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Trinity Catholic won the game 55-38. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Forest's Sean Curry (15) shoots over Crestview's Devin Davis (23) during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Febraury 12, 2025. Forest won the game 67-57. [Julian Mendez/Special To The Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Forest's Isaac Timmons (14) dunks on the basket against Crestview during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Febraury 12, 2025. Forest won the game 67-57. [Julian Mendez/ Special To The Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Forest's Trey Chisolm (2) looks for a shot on the hoop as he is defended by a Crestview's player during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Febraury 12, 2025. Forest won the game 67-57. [Julian Mendez/Special To The Ocala Gazette] 2025.
