talley’s folly now showing at ocala civic theatre
FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2021
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 35
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Food desert remains an issue in Ocala Community programs could help improve access to fresh produce in West Ocala By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette Fresh fruit and vegetables can be hard to come by in West Ocala. Much of the area lies in
what is commonly called a “food desert,” an area where residents have limited or no access to affordable, fresh, healthy food. Food deserts often exist in lowincome areas, where public transportation is limited,
and there are few retailers. Of the nearly 30 supermarkets in Ocala, none have operations in west Ocala. One of the closest is Key Foods, a Hispanic-centric grocer on State Road 200. Seventeen
of the county markets are in just three zip codes: 34471, 34470 and 34481. North of State Road 40, especially on the west side of town, it’s more difficult for residents to get fresh food. Many may live more than a mile away from the nearest grocery store. While public
Tree trouble
transportation is an option, elderly residents may not feel comfortable riding with others in a confined space during a pandemic. For example, the 34475 zip code is sandwiched between Interstate 75 and US Highway 441 and See Food Desert, page 8
Program offers jail alternative Civil citations can forgo arrests for some misdemeanors By Carlos Medina and Jennifer Murty Ocala Gazette
The tree canopy is shown on Southeast 5th Street [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Tree canopy in Ocala safe, for now By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette
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n the world of trees, green does not always mean go. Despite still producing a green canopy, two of the trees lining Southeast Fifth Street in Ocala’s historic district recently went on the chopping block. “Most people, when they look at trees, they see it’s green, and they leave it at that,” said Danny Lippi, a board-certified arborist and certified tree risk assessor.
In August, Ocala hired Lippi to assess the integrity of the trees making up the iconic canopy along Fifth Street. The foliage on the trees was the least of his concerns. “Just because a tree is green does not mean it’s not dangerous and that there aren’t structural issues,” Lippi said. The good news: Of the 32 trees Lippi assessed, only one was recommended for removal. The bad news: The trees are at least 100 years old and have issues. Lippi said short of cutting the trees down and counting rings, it’s
difficult to date the live oaks that line the road. But given the age of the neighborhood, they are likely less than 200 years old, according to Lippi’s estimates. While the life span of a southern live oak can stretch up to 300 years or sometimes much more, the trees’ urban surroundings have taken a toll. While providing a scenic drive, lining a street isn’t a natural environment for the oaks. Over the decades, the trees have lived
As Marion County courts are poised to start jury trials in March after a year-long absence, and the county jail population hovers at the higher end of capacity, area law enforcement has a tool available to keep some people out of jail. In 2018, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a law that gave state attorneys and local law enforcement agencies the choice to issue adult civil citations for certain nonviolent misdemeanors. The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office and Ocala Police Department served as the pilot agencies for the program in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which in addition to Marion, covers Citrus, Hernando, Lake and Sumter counties. Local State Attorney Bill Gladson, who recently took over the office, highlighted the program during a recent meeting of the Marion County Bar Association. Gladson did not say the office was advocating wider use of the program, but the sheriff ’s office has highlighted the program to
See Tree Canopy, page 2
See Citations, page 3
A Faith-based life Woman leans on belief during pandemic struggles By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette For Tanesha Mills, it’s been an exceptionally trying and painful year. Not only did her home care business almost collapse due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the virus also took the
father of her six children. Through her travails, Mills has stuck to her “Built God Tough” mantra, which she turned into a non-profit organization with the hope of helping others keep the faith through these trying times. Despite divorcing a year earlier, Mills was still on good terms with Jermaine
Subscribers within the following zip codes will receive their paper every Friday by courier. Those that live outside this area will receive their paper through USPS on the USPS schedule. 34470 • 34471 • 34474 • 34476 • 34481 Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order to be included in the following week’s delivery. Starting at $14/month ocalagazette.com/subscribe
Mills. They shared 20 years together and were raising their six children together. Then Jermaine contracted COVID-19 in August. As he got sicker, Tanesha visited him in the hospital often. She recalled the last conversation she had with him. “In my eyes, you’re like Superman,” Tanesha said. “You have been through a lot already. And if you feel See Businesses, page 3
Tanesha Mills poses for a photo at the Cascades on East Silver Springs Boulevard. Despite the death of the father of her six children and the near collapse of her business due to COVID-19, she has managed to keep moving forward and even started a non-profit named Built God Tough to help others struggling through the pandemic. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Inside: COVID Update........................ 4 State News................................ 6 Southeastern Youth Fair....... 7 Creative’s Corner.................... 10 Sports........................................ 12 Calendar................................... 15