VOLUME 5 ISSUE 20
The legacy of Ruth Reed Pg B3
MAY 17 - MAY 23, 2024
Annual delinquent tax certificate lien sale is underway
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TRAGIC DUI CRASH
Here is a guide to the definitions, listings and other information about how the process works in Marion County. By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com
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ou may have noticed that some of our issues this month have held pages and pages of dense listings filled with names, parcel numbers and dollar amounts. This is the report of this year’s Marion County tax lien certificates, which reflect unpaid taxes that were due Nov. 1, 2023, and became delinquent April 1, 2024. Each year the county is required to notify the public, publish this information and hold a tax certificate lien sale in which investors can buy the tax certificates and earn interest on the investment. Here’s how the process works: Property taxes are due Nov. 1 of each year and become delinquent April 1 of the following year. For many property owners, especially those with mortgages on the property, taxes are part of the principal/interest/taxes/ insurance total payment made to the mortgage company. You pay monthly and forget it. But many property owners don’t pay that way and, due to death of the property owner, moving, a private sale and other situations, tax payments might be overlooked and forgotten. It’s uncommon, but there are times when an owner is surprised about forgetting to pay taxes. “It happens more than we would like,” said Craig Silverman, the director of tax services with Marion County. “If you’ve moved and forgotten about letting the tax collector know, we’ll mail the tax notice to your old address. People just don’t think about that when moving. Or a spouse dies and the remaining beneficiaries don’t know about an extra lot,” and those taxes become due. In those situations, the county wants its money. So, they sell tax certificate liens that allow investors to purchase the right to the tax payment plus interest. The certificates are required to be advertised and if the taxes are not paid by May 31, then the certificate lien goes to the sale. Silverman has been with the Marion County Tax Collector’s See Taxes, page A4
A collision between a pickup truck and a bus left eight people dead and 38 people hospitalized on May 14. [Marion County Fire Rescue]
Fatal Marion County bus crash called “worst DUI-related crash” in Florida’s recent history. The local crash happened on same day as the 36th anniversary of a Kentucky bus crash that was the deadliest DUI crash in U.S. history. By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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n the wake of the catastrophic May 14 bus crash west of Ocala that killed eight people and sent 38 to the hospital, victim advocates call it the worst impaired-driving crash in Florida’s recent history. The tragedy occurred on the same day as the 36th anniversary of the deadliest DUI crash in U.S. history. In the early morning of May 14 in west Marion County, authorities said a pickup truck driven by Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, sideswiped a bus
carrying 53 farm workers, causing the bus to veer off State Road 40 and go through a fence, hit a tree and overturn. Eight people died and 38 were hospitalized. Howard was arrested and charged with eight counts of DUI manslaughter later that day, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Howard told investigators he had smoked marijuana oil a few hours earlier and had taken several prescription medications. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been denied bond, according to Marion County Clerk of Court records. See Tragic, page A3
[Marion County Fire Rescue]
Food drive collections down The annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ campaign brought in fewer donations this year but will still help thousands of people in Ocala/Marion County. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamedico.com
T Sharon Hayes, left, and Maxi Rodriguez, the assistant warehouse manager, right, unload donated food from a U.S.P.S. truck during the Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carrier Food Drive in the Reuben Brawner Food Distribution Center at Interfaith Emergency Services in Ocala on Saturday, May 11, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
he annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive took place nationwide on May 11. The food collected locally will remain in Marion County to help individuals and families. This year’s food drive was the 32nd for Ocala/Marion County. Even though the drive brought in 95,000 pounds of food, with some donations still coming in, the amount was down compared to last
year, which saw 103,792 pounds of food donated. “It’s down compared to previous years but when you factor in the monetary value of that much food it’s probably more per dollar,” said Karla Greenway, chief executive officer of Interfaith Emergency Services, the lead nonprofit with the drive. On May 11, people could leave donations on or near their mailbox for collection. Mail carriers would pick up the donations and volunteers would help ferry the items to the IES warehouse for See Food, page A2
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INSIDE:
Principal of Destiny Leadership Academy Arrested.. A4 Government Advisory Boards... A6 Locals Shine at Westminster...... A7 Puzzles............................................. B4 Calendar......................................... B5
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