The local “unofficial” primary election recap
studyupdatedconsidersdistrictSchool
After voters play their part on, and leading up to, election day, the process of ensuring election integrity continues for days afterward under the stewardship of elections supervisors.
Ocala SW 80th Avenue had submitted a required traffic analysis to the board. But Metcalf told the board the analysis was flawed because the Calesa Township traffic was not included. “I don’t know how you disregard 5,000 units and don’t decision on 529 home development voices desire to get a better handle on SW development woes.
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the past, we now also had to update the state’s turnout system. The servers were brought down starting at about 7:30 and they were brought back up with five times the resources at about 8:10. And it all ran smoothly from that point on.”
See Long-range,
See Development, page A3 I’m very concerned about (moving) forward with approving this development, knowing what’s been outlined for us. We’ve done that in the past. We’ve ended up in a lawsuit. Kathy Bryant County Commissioner By Ocala Gazette Staff
Only 27.75% of the 266,967 registered voters in Marion County participated in the primary election on Aug. 23. According to Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox, that was lower than the turnout in 2018 of 32% but higher than the 16.5% turnout in 2014. One hiccup occurred after the polls closed and everyone was waiting for results. Around 7:25 p.m. Tuesday, the webservers in Marion County and also for about 50 to 60 other elections offices across the state were overwhelmed due to high demand for live results and extra steps needed to comply with recent election law changes by the state.
Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com
BOCC postpones
“Changing from LR to MR will significantly impact major roads by doubling peak hour trips to 5,887,’’ the letter states, “and would double student demand to over 2,000 students, triggering the need for several newTheschools.”letteralso requested that future Comprehensive Plan applications in that area be denied or delayed “until a study has been completed to analyze and address…existing and future needs for roads, schools and public facilities and services.”
MCBOCC
T he Marion County Board of pumpingCommissionersCountyarethebrakes on a proposed development that would add over 500 homes to the crowded southwest portion of the county after an attorney for neighboring developments raised significant concerns about potential impacts on already overburdened schools, roads and emergency services. The detailed presentation by the planner for the attorneys challenging the project at the board’s Aug. 16 meeting also led the commissioners to decide it’s time for the county to take a broader look at the busy area’s current and future capacity for growth.Ocala SW 80th Avenue, LLC has requested a change in the county’s future land use map from low-density residential to medium-density residential, which would allow the developer to build 529 single-family homes on 132.26 acres at SW 80th Avenue and SW 63rd Street Road. The development would be just south of Calesa Township’s 5,000-home development and near the On Top of the World (OTOW) residential community. According to public records obtained by the Gazette, the attorney representing the OTOW and Calesa developers started raising concerns about the proposed development in mid-May. When those concerns were not addressed, the attorney sent two more letters to the BOCC on Aug. 12 and Aug. 15. County staff reviewed Ocala SW 80th Avenue’s plans and recommended the board approve the changes requested by the developer.However, Kenneth Metcalf, director of planning with the Tallahassee law firm of Stearns Weaver Miller, which is representing OTOW and Calesa, went beyond the staff report and detailed for the board numerous impacts the proposed development would bring to the already crowded area. “We have done an analysis,” Metcalf said, “that addresses the increased density in the study, basically between 80th Avenue and 60th Avenue, north of State Road 200.’’ The firm’s letter states: “Build out of the current Future Land Use designations would result in 4,633 units. Without any further density increases, the build out based on current future land use designations will add nearly 3,000 trips to the roadway network and over 1,000 students, triggering the need for a new elementary school, middle school and high school.
“Once we file the first set of unofficial results, the state determines if any multijurisdictional races will go to a recount. We don’t believe there will be any for Marion County. If no recounts, we can then file the official results. Monday, we will conduct the public audit, which is where we hand count a randomly chosen contest for a precinct to confirm vote totals,” Wilcox added.
See Local election recap,
Left: Judge Lori Cotton, left, watches primary election results come in with husband, Steve Tweedle, right, at Molly McGuire’s in downtown Ocala on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2022.
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
T he School Board of Marion County approved a contract on Tuesday for help in determining what the next steps should be to address the impact of rapid population growth on area schools.
The Long-Range Planning and Impact Fee Studies will be carried out by Benesch Consulting, formerly known as Tindale Oliver. The school board came to the agreement with the consulting firm by adopting planning contracts used and created by Hillsborough County Public Schools.
“It’s been since 2006 that we have had such a study to tell us the impact of our student volume and increases, such as population increase in Marion County, and the dollar amounts coming in,” said Vice Chair AllisonCampbellCampbell.saidwhen the last study
page A2 High school sports are back! Page B6
Chris Rison, left, and Ken Weyrauch, right, both of the Growth Services Department, display an item on the overhead projector during the Planning and Zoning and DRC Waiver Requests meeting in the Marion County Commission auditorium at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
“Most people don’t realize that the election results published on Tuesday aren’t even unofficial; maybe they could better be described as preliminary. We don’t file our first set of unofficial results until after 5 p.m. Thursday. Wednesday and Thursday are very busy days preparing for our filing. We are retrieving all our equipment from our 105 polling locations. We run about six large ‘moving’ trucks, getting it all back in,” Wilcox said of the process.
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Long-range planning study
Continued from page A1 was done, the district had other sources of capital funding, such as sales tax revenue and Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) dollars that went toward capital expenses such as building schools and renovating and expanding existing structures.
Amy GraphicHarbertDesigner amy@magnoliamediaco.com
File photo: Allison Campbell on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
“Number one, we save the consulting or the general services fee. But we [would] become better experts at what we do, and I would like to see a very aggressive approach to understanding impact as folks move to Florida, and as they move to Marion County,” Browning said. Campbell explained that much time and effort goes into long-term planning and studying impact fees and said that if it could have been done without hiring an outside consultant, then it probably would have been accomplished much“Whilesooner.Iappreciate Mr. Browning’s sentiment that he would like to see something like this conducted in-house, if we had the bandwidth and the manpower and the subject matter experts within our district to be able to conduct such a study, it wouldn’t have taken so long for us to get it,” Campbell said.
“The Growth Management and Infrastructure Plan will focus on trends and long-term projections of population and student generation rates…to assist with policy decisions,” according to the Benesch study summary. “The Business Plan component will address maintenance, renovations, and capital needs and trends compared to funding ability.” The studies should take about nine months to complete, through which time the firm will periodically meet with district staff and at the end of which will make a presentation to the school board to begin the process of making decisions on policy and how to proceed.
“All of that has since gone away, and we’ve continued to see a population increase in Marion County…and frankly, a [large] volume of students,” Campbell said. “I must express that I was speaking with a private school administrator recently, and they’re bursting at the seams, too.”
The board will pay Benesch $121,875 for the studies. Board Member Don Browning raised concerns about the costs of hiring an outside consultant to conduct both studies and asked why the price couldn’t be reduced by conducting the studies through an in-house expert.
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTEA2 U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) News tips tips@ocalagazette.com Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com Follow @ocalagazetteus 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. ocalagazette.com ©2022 Ocala Gazette, LLC Ocala Gazette is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478. Evelyn AccountAndersonExecutive evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com Bruce PhotographyAckermanEditor bruce@ocalagazette.com CarolineReporterBrauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com RosemarieReporterDowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com JulieReporterGaristo julie@magnoliamediaco.com GregEditorHamilton greg@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-HeightEditor susan@magnoliamediaco.com BeleaReporterKeeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com Share your news The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your submissions to info@ocalagazette.com. Please include your name and contact information on the submission. Letters to the editor: 200 words or less. Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available. • Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important Newsinstructions.tips:Include whatever information you consider relevant. Approved Auditor info or periodicAls permit (if ApplicAble) As required for public notices per section 50.011(1)(e), f s cvc – circulAtion verified council 12166 old big bend roAd suite 210 KirKwood mo 63122 phone (314) 966-771
Not only are schools anticipating rapid growth in the coming years, but public schools are already seeing more enrolled students than expected across the board as the school year takes off. As of Aug. 23, only 10 days into the school year, the district has already seen 44,025 students, surpassing the district’s projected enrollment of 43,394.
Once the studies are complete, the findings will provide information that will not only provide guidance for the District’s Facilities Work Plan, but also for the school board as it makes decisions about impact fees and capacity improvements. The board also approved a scope of services for both studies, separated into the primary areas of a Growth Management and Infrastructure Plan and a Business Plan and Impact Fee Update.
“What’s tough about income-driven repayment is that it does not take into account your other liabilities, such as your rent payment,” said Kristen Ahlenius, a financial counselor at Your Money Line, which provides financial literacy training. “If someone’s living paycheck to paycheck and their rent is taking up half of their paycheck and then their car payment takes the other, they have to choose. Unfortunately, incomedriven repayment doesn’t take that into consideration, but it is an option.” Student Debt Relief offers a calculator to help determine your discretionary income.
By Cora Lewia and Adriana Morga Associated Press President Joe Biden said Wednesday that many Americans can have up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt forgiven. That amount increases to $20,000 if they qualified for Pell grants. Here’s what we know so far and what it means for people with outstanding student loans:
The debt forgiveness is expected to apply only to those currently holding student debt. But if you’ve voluntarily made payments since March 2020, when payments were paused, you can request a refund for those payments, according to the Federal Office of Student Aid. Contact your loan servicer to request a refund.
The White House is expected to face lawsuits over the plan, because Congress has never given the president the explicit authority to cancel debt. We don’t know yet how that might impact the timetable for student loan forgiveness.
WHAT’S A PELL GRANT AND HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE ONE?
WHO QUALIFIES FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS? You qualify to have up to $10,000 forgiven if your loan is held by the Department of Education and you make less than $125,000 individually or $250,000 for a family. If you received Pell grants, which are reserved for undergraduates with the most significant financial need, you can have up to $20,000 forgiven. If you are a current borrower and a dependent student, you will be eligible for relief based on your parents’ income, rather than your own. WILL THE STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT FREEZE BE EXTENDED? The payment freeze will be extended one last time, until Dec. 31. The freeze started in 2020 as a way to help people struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s been extended several times since. It was set to expire Aug. 31. Interest rates will remain at 0% until repayments start. Under an earlier extension announced in April, people who were behind on payments before the pandemic automatically will be put in good standing.
“To change the rules in midgame isn’t fair,” Gooding said, noting this application has been in the process for six months, and the applicant has complied with every county requirement. “Again, we wish you wouldn’t change the rules. But if you’re going to, then we’ll live with them.”Inaddition to the traffic issues, Metcalf addressed school capacity issues and the lack of funding available to deal with the problem of overcrowded schools in Marion County. He referenced a May 19 Marion County School Board discussion of overcrowding and capacity issues. “The school board did a great job of outlining the capacity problems we have in southwest Marion County,’’ he said. “As you are seeing, the entire southwest area is at 99% capacity. It’s at 103% capacity based on school zoning boundaries. The three schools that would serve this project, [Saddlewood Elementary] is at 106%, Liberty Middle is at 111% and West Port High is at 112%. … And the key is (expansions) are not funded. So there is no capacity solution to this problem.”
Development decision raises significant infrastructure concerns
“This additional relief for Pell borrowers is also an important piece of racial equity in cancellation,” said Kat Welbeck, Civil Rights Counsel for the Student Borrower Protection Center. “Because student debt exacerbates existing inequities, the racial wealth gap means that students of color, especially those that are Black and Latino, are more likely to come from low-wealth households, have student debt, and borrow in higher quantities.”Tofindout if you have a Pell grant, check any emails you’ve received that describe your FAFSA award.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL THIS HELP?
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE A3
WHAT IF I’VE ALREADY PAID OFF MY STUDENT LOANS — WILL I SEE RELIEF?
Commissioner Michelle Stone during the Planning and Zoning and DRC Waiver Requests meeting in the Marion County Commission auditorium at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Ken Metcalf, speaking for On Top of the World, makes a point during the Planning and Zoning and DRC Waiver Requests meeting in the Marion County Commission auditorium at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
About 43 million Americans have federal student debt, with an average balance of $37,667, according to federal data. A third of those owe less than $10,000. Half owe less than $20,000. The total amount of federal student debt is more than $1.6 trillion.
The objections raised to this specific project prompted a broader board conversation on the need to take a longer look at development in the area and its impacts on services. “I don’t mind stepping into this,’’ Commissioner Michelle Stone said. “(Gooding) said, we require something different for this applicant. (But) why don’t we hold ourselves to a higher standard?” School capacity is a major issue for Marion County, said Stone, who is part of a multiagency committee looking for solutions to the problem. But there are other concerns, she said, and they all require a more thorough look. “We have approved so much development in this area, I do think it may be something that we want to consider: doing our own comprehensive study in the growth area…that little triangle for (Interstate) 75, (U.S.) 27, all the way down to (SR) 200 from 80th (Avenue) to the east.” Commissioner Craig Curry echoed Stone’s concerns. “I want to take a step back from this region because you’re not the only project going in there,” he said, referring to the tremendous growth along the SR 200 corridor. “I know we have been kind of moving down the road on these projects. I won’t say ignoring things but probably not doing some of the due diligence that we could. And, very honestly, this letter was a little bit of a wake-up call for me in that area. Anybody that is developing in that area wants to know where the future is going.” Commissioner Kathy Bryant waved the OTOW letters packet after Metcalf’s presentation and said, “We have a highly litigious developer [referring to OTOW] that has already given us all of the opposition and the reasons why. And I’m very concerned about (moving) forward with approving this development, knowing what’s been outlined for us. We’ve done that in the past. We’ve ended up in a lawsuit.” Stone made a motion to deny the Ocala SW 80th Avenue application, and Bryant seconded, but after more discussion Stone withdrew the motion. Instead, the board decided to table the request until their Dec. 6 meeting in order to get a full traffic study for the project. The board directed county staff “to develop methodology for traffic impact analysis.” County Engineer Elton Holland said the request could be expedited in order for the developer to meet deadlines. Bryant also requested the developer return with plans for access to the east of the property. The current plan has two entrances facing SW 80th Avenue. The resubmittal from the applicant is due Nov. 8 so county staff can review the material in preparation for the Dec. 6 meeting. Bryant reiterated that the board needs to discuss development in the southwest triangle, and Stone agreed, adding, “This isn’t going to stop. Nothing is going to slow down.” Stone said the discussion needs to be an agenda item. “I think we need a comprehensive conversation about what is happening in our community,” sheCurrysaid. directed County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes to develop an agenda item for a future board meeting to provide for a comprehensive look at the SW 80th Avenue area. Discussion topics would include school capacity, traffic and development, especially in the SR 200 corridor.
Roughly 27 million borrowers who qualified for Pell grants will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 in forgiveness under the Biden plan. Pell grants are special government scholarships for lower-income Americans, who currently can receive up to $ $6,895 annually for roughly six years. Nearly every Pell Grant recipient came from a family that made less than $60,000 a year, according to the Department of Education, which said Pell grant recipients typically experience more challenges repaying their debt than other borrowers. Pell grants themselves don’t generally have to be paid back, but recipients typically take out additional student loans.
Attorney Jimmy Gooding, representing Ocala SW 80th Avenue, pointed out that other developments have only had to provide a traffic analysis without going to the expense of a more intensive traffic study at this point in the process.
WILL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS DEFINITELY HAPPEN?
The Department of Education has proposed a repayment plan that would cap monthly payments at no more than 5% of a borrower’s discretionary income, down from 10% now. Borrowers will need to apply for the repayment plan if it’s approved, which could take a year or more. For example, under the proposal, a single borrower making $38,000 a year would pay $31 a month, according a government press release.The amount considered non-discretionary will also be increased, through the department has not said how much. Discretionary income usually refers to what you have left after covering necessities like food and rent, but for student loan repayment purposes it’s calculated using a formula that takes into account the difference between a borrower’s annual income and the federal poverty line, along with family size and geographic location.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS? Details of that have not been announced, but keep an eye on the federal student aid website for more details in coming days.
WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY EVEN WITH LOAN FORGIVENESS? Once payments resume, borrowers who can’t pay risk delinquency and eventually default. That can hurt your credit rating and mean you’re not eligible for additional aid. If you’re struggling to pay, check if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan. You can find out more here. The plan Biden announced Wednesday also includes a proposal that would allow people with undergraduate loans to cap repayment at 5% of their monthly income. Proposals like this one can take a year or more to be implemented, and it’s not clear what the fine print will be. If you have worked for a government agency or a non-profit organization, you could also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which you can read more about here.
Biden’s student loan plan: What we know (and what we don’t)
WHAT REPAYMENT PLAN IS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROPOSING?
Continued from page A1 include [those] trips,’’ he said. “They are [also] not including all the trips from On Top of the World. So there are serious problems with the traffic study.”
Cummings wins second term on Cummings, received 40,923 votes, or 60.14% of theSwetttotal.received 27,126 votes, or 39.86% of theCummingstotal. was elected in 2018 and currently serves as the district’s chair. He is a pastor and former correctional officer. During the last legislative session, a law was passed restricting school district members from serving more than twelve years. However, that new restriction would not be applied retroactively. Instead, the twelve year term limit would start ticking November 8, 2022. The job pays $39,732 plus benefits. Cummings raised $18,464 in cash contributions and expended $10,784.10, according to the last campaign records filed. Swett, a retired postal worker, raised $10,600 and expended $9,964.79. Sarah James wins school district 5 seat Sarah James won the district 5 seat on the Taylor Smith, according to unofficial totals posted to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website Tuesday evening, August 23. James received 44,642 votes, or 64.96% of theSmithtotal. received 24,077 votes, or 35.04% of theJamestotal. has previously worked as a teacher and in school administration and holds a Master’s in Education and doctorate in Educational Leadership. Smith, 24, was the youngest candidate participating in local elections this year. The job pays $39,732 plus benefits. James raised $28,464 in cash contributions and expended $28,446.43, according to the last campaign records filed. Smith raised $15,422.80 and expended $15,244.43.
LeAnn Thompson
Suranni, who has worked for 16 years for the Marion school district, raised $6,600 and expended $2,793.58. School board members serve four-year terms. During the last legislative session, a law was passed restricting school district members from serving more than twelve years.
Conrad wins school district 2
Mackey-Barnes Renee
2022 General Election - Nov. 8, 2022 Early voting: Oct. 27 to Nov. 5. Visit votemarion.gov for official results.
According to Wesley Wilcox, the Marion County Supervisor of Elections, a candidate must get a majority of votes, which translates to at least 50% of the vote plus one extra vote in order to win an election. Any election not resulting in a candidate receiving a majority of the vote requires a runoff between the two candidates who received the most votes. This judicial seat became available upon the announcement by County Court Judge James McCune that he would be retiring and not filing to run again when his term ends at the end of 2022. County court judges serve six-year terms in what is often referred to as “the people’s courts,” mainly because a large part of the courts’ work involves voluminous citizen disputes, such as traffic offenses, less serious criminal matters (misdemeanors) and relatively small monetary disputes involving $30,000 or less.
This was Conrad’s second run for school board. She ran for district 1 in 2020 but lost in a run-off against current school board member Allison Campbell. The job pays $39,732 plus benefits. Conrad raised $34,900 in cash contributions and expended $15,239.01, according to the last campaign records filed.
Ruse raised $51,350 and spent $44,932.11. Thompson raised $41,400 and spent $39,175.86.
general election for county judicial seat 1
Local election recap
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disputes, such as traffic offenses, less serious criminal matters (misdemeanors) and relatively small monetary disputes involving $30,000 or less. The job pays $172,015 plus benefits. The threshold of monetary disputes is increasing from $30,000 to $50,000 on January 1, 2023, however, arguably bringing more complex civil matters to county court dockets.
Incumbent winscommissionercountyZalakagain
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
eAnn Mackey-Barnes, a career public defender and Renee Thompson, a civil lawyer and mediator will head to a runoff in the general election for county court judicial seat 1 after neither earned a majority of votes during the August 23 primary election. According to unofficial totals posted to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website Tuesday evening, Rene Thompson, received 28,037 votes, or 40.44% of the total.
Danielle B. Ruse, placed third, receiving 16,643 votes, or 24.01% of the total.
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTEA4
The threshold of monetary disputes is increasing from $30,000 to $50,000 on January 1, 2023, however, arguably bringing more complex civil matters to county court dockets. The job pays $172,015 plus benefits. Mackey-Barnes collected $38,230 in cash campaign contributions and expended $30,275.62, according to the last filed financial reports.
But more than 60% voted against him. primary election, defeating Keith A. Poole and Rachel Sams, according to unofficial totals posted to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website Tuesday evening, August 23. Zalak, received 15, 919 votes, or 38.29% of the total. Sams, received 14,548 votes, or 34.99% of the total. Poole, meanwhile, received 11,108 votes, or 26.72% of the total.County commissioners serve four-year terms and have no term limits. Zalak was first elected in 2010 and currently serves as the chair for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.ThiswillbeZalak’s fourth term as county commissioner. He also works as a sales representative with Waste Pro USA.The job pays $89,764 plus benefits. Zalak raised and spent the most during this local election cycle, at $156, 430 in cash contributions, and expended $137, 420.29, according to the last campaign records filed. Poole raised $82,040 and expended $81,319. Sams raised $60,034.29 and expended $47,424.44. Zalak moves to the general election, where he is challenged by two write-in candidates, Brian Christian Donnelly and SethOnlyPosner.Zalak’s name will be on the general election ballot. Space, however, will be provided on the ballot for voters to write in Donnelly or Posner’s names should they wish to vote for one of the write-in candidates.
LeAnn Mackey-Barnes, meanwhile, received 24,645 votes, or 35.55% of the total.
Cotton raised $66,341.10 in cash contributions and expended $61,120.68, according to the last campaign records filed. Harris raised $60,525 and expended $55,679.45.
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Start the journey to more savings with By Eadie Sickler and Greg Hamilton The team of investigatingvolunteerscoldcases for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office know that time can be the enemy. As the years go by, evidence trails grow cold, witnesses disappear, memories fade. They are in a race against time, and sometimes the clock wins. Sometimes, despite the best efforts of law enforcement, no one is arrested and convicted of a crime. Sometimes, someone gets away with murder.
A little more than five years later, on April 26, 2017, Arnell died from a drug overdose, which was ruled accidental. The toxicology report noted the presence of fentanyl, ethanol, and morphine in his system. With Arnell’s death, the case might be considered ended. After all, no one else was ever identified as a suspect. But investigators continued to try to resolve the unanswered questions. Why do it? Detective Daniel Pinder of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Department, who oversees the Cold Case Unit, explained that for the victim’s family, time never heals their pain. “The hard work of the experienced investigators who volunteer their time makes a real difference in these difficult cases,’’ he said. “I appreciate their dedication to bringing closure to the victim’s loved ones.” Pinder earlier this year asked Cold Case investigators Jerry and Karen Combs to re-examine the Bazarsky murder case. The couple studied the collected evidence and witness narratives and recently reached a conclusion as to what they believe happened that day in Belleview more than a decade ago. A summary of the report gives this account.Bazarsky and Arnell knew each other for 25 years. Authorities say Bazarsky drove to Broward County and brought Arnell back to Belleview, where they lived in a house that also served as an auto repair shop where they worked together. Both of the men were convicted felons, authorities said, and both were known to friends and family to use drugs and alcohol.
“Arnell was with Bazarsky the night before he (Arnell) fled to South Florida and provided inconsistent statements regarding his actions. Arnell failed a polygraph when asked if he shot the victim. Arnell’s son provided statements regarding Matthew admitting to shooting theThevictim.report writer “believes a reasonable conclusion can be made Matthew Arnell killed victim Mark Bazarsky via shooting him, retrieved money from his pockets (DNA from Arnell located on these pockets), and fled to South Florida, attempting to stay with his ex-wife before going to his neighbor’s residence.’’ With Arnell dead, the report requests the case status be “closed by death of the offender.’’ Time had run out before the killer could be brought to justice.
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE Country Oaks Branch - 9680 SW 114th St. • Maricamp Branch - 10 Bahia Ave. Ln. Ocala Branch - 2424 SW 17th Rd. • Silver Springs Branch - 3504 E Silver Spring Blvd. FCUMKNP0423-0822
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 08/12/22. Terms, restrictions and conditions apply. See share certificate agreement for current rates, terms and requirements. Must be funded with money currently not on deposit at Florida Credit Union. Minimum balance to open share certificate varies per certificate with a maximum of $5,000,000. After maturity, if you choose to roll over your CD, you will earn dividends according to the CD agreement or at the then current APY as stated on flcu.org at that time. Limited time offer subject to change at any time without notice. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawals which may reduce earnings. Fees may reduce earnings. Visit flcu.org for membership eligibility requirements. Florida Credit Union – P.O. Box 5549, Gainesville, FL 32627. Insured by NCUA. 352-237-8222flcu.org/cd
On March 22, Bazarsky called his son Storm Bazarsky and they agreed to meet. At around midnight, Bazarsky bought some beer and cigarettes at a local convenience store. Later that day, March 23, Bazarsky and Arnell sold some scrap metal for several hundred dollars. Later that day, Bazarsky’s brother-in-law Vincent Perkins showed up and told Bazarsky to repay the $350 he owed him. Bazarsky said he did not have any money. Perkins told police Bazarsky was accompanied by “someone he knew as Matt.” Storm Bazarsky called his father the next evening and got no answer. Denise Bazarsky called about 9:34 p.m., and Arnell answered the phone and said Bazarsky was sleeping. She told deputies Arnell sounded “messed up” and noted that it was unusual for Bazarsky to be sleeping at “such an early hour.” After being unable to contact Bazarsky for two days, family members went to the house on E County Road 25 and found his Investigatorsbody.determined Bazarsky died from a single gunshot that entered his back, exited his chest then shattered the glass of a bedroom window. Deputies found a single shell casing from a .45-caliber handgun. A friend of the pair told deputies he previously had seen Arnell shooting a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol that had no magazine, meaning it could only fire one round at a time. Investigators later determined Arnell’s pistol was the murder weapon. On March 24, Arnell’s car was photographed going through toll plazas on Florida’s Turnpike heading south. Arnell’s ex-wife later told investigators Arnell showed up at her home in Coral Springs unannounced at around 1 p.m. and requested to take a shower. She told him no, and he left the property. Later that day, at about 3 p.m., John Guthro, a resident of North Lauderdale in Broward County, who once had been Arnell’s neighbor, said Arnell showed up at his residence intoxicated. Arnell asked if he could take a shower. Guthro allowed him to clean up and provided Arnell some clothes to wear as he had brought none with him. Guthro told police he overheard Arnell talking to his son, Matthew “Matty” Arnell Jr., on the phone. He said he heard the elder Arnell state, “It’s all over now’’ and asked his son to come get his vehicle. The younger Arnell told investigators his father told him he had shot Bazarsky. Arnell then told his son “he was only kidding.” Arnell’s son later told authorities “he finally realized his father was not lying when he told him he shot Bazarsky.”
Consider the case of Mark Bazarsky, 48, who was shot to death in his Belleview home on March 23, 2012. Investigators soon identified a suspect, Bazarsky’s roommate, 51-year-old Matthew Arnell. But without sufficient evidence to make an arrest, Arnell was never charged in the crime.
3.00 APY% *
On March 26, the day after Bazarsky’s sons found his body, Broward County Sheriffs’ Office deputies located Arnell’s vehicle at Guthro’s house. Although evidence led authorities to suspect Arnell might be involved in Bazarsky’s death, he was not arrested because of issues regarding a key piece of evidence. That’s where things stood for more than a Colddecade.CaseUnit investigators Jerry and Karen Combs reviewed all the evidence gathered, including interviews with family members and acquaintances of Bazarsky and Arnell. Their work formed the basis of the MCSO’s report on the case, released on June 29. The report states investigators believe “Matthew Arnell had motive (disagreements over item sales and alleged mistreatment by the victim) and the ability to shoot the victim (he was witnessed shooting a .45 and several circumstances indicate the firearm is his).
2012 cold case murder “closed” by MCSO
Mark Bazarsky
2.60balance%APY*26-month CD minimum$5,000 2.65balance%APY*48-monthCD I $10,000 minimum
PETA cited Animal Welfare Act violations, and in May, the U.S. Justice Department secured the surrender of thousands of dogs. Envigo, has declined to comment to the press. Their parent company, Inotiv, said in a statement that it had reached a settlement with the DOJ and the U S Department of Agriculture. The company will not have to pay any fines or penalties and makes no admission of liability or wrongdoing. The Fairfax facility will shut down once all of the dogs have been removed. For more information on visiting and adopting the beagles, visit thehsmc.org or call (352) 873-PETS (7387).
Thomas “Mr. Tom” Eubanks, a beloved custodian, has had the Eighth Street Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) rally around him as they attempt to fundraise $4,500 for a golf cart of his very own, so that he may zip around campus to fulfill his wide array of responsibilities and upkeep the elementary school’s campus.
Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTEA6
Tom Eubanks in a courtyard at Eighth Street Elementary School in Ocala on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022. “I’m there for the kids,” Eubanks said. “That’s what it’s all about, is making sure that they have a safe and clean environment.”
By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com
“We had no say in which dogs would be ours,” Leedy said. “The Humane Society of the United States got involved, and based on things that were going there with euthanasia, they made a plea across the nation for rescues to assist them. We typically don’t go outside in the state of Florida, but on a rescue this large, it was all hands on Unloadeddeck.”oneby one, the dogs bore tattooed ID numbers on the inside of their“Theyears.had no names, but that’s changing now,” Leedy assured. Leedy also said that the pups would enjoy outdoor playtime mornings and late afternoons when it’s not too hot out, and the public is welcome to visit them. The no-kill shelter is caring for the beagles for the next two weeks and neutering them before they’re put up for adoption.Thesheer joy and excitement of the rescue is a welcome contrast to what Investigators found at the Fairfax facility. More than 350 puppies died among their cramped littermates and mothers. Some puppies had been inadvertently crushed to death by their mothers inside the cages. Others suffered from hydrocephalus (when fluid builds up inside the skull and puts pressure on the brain).
According to PETA, “the dogs were kept in sheds that stretched as long as a football field and were deafeningly loud when hundreds of them barked at once … louder than a rock concert,” a harrowing thought considering the sensitivity of dogs’“Deafening”ears. happened to be the word that Eddie Leedy, executive director of the Humane Society of Marion County, used to describe the chorus of yelps that greeted him and his crew when they retrieved the 15 puppies in Fairfax, Virginia, yesterday. Humane Society shelters and other animal rescue organizations across the nation drove to the facility to put the dogs up for Leedy,adoption.whohas two beagles of his own, had just driven 11 hours overnight, straight with no breaks, and was up early the next morning to hang out with pups. Most likely, it was the first time the pups had experienced human affection.
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Matthews has taken up the charge to lead fundraising efforts by the PTO. She said that getting Eubanks his own golf cart is not only a necessity, but it is also long overdue after his 16 years of employment at the school. “He requested at the beginning of last school year if there was any way possible for him to have his own designated utility cart, that way he could use it every day and get around the school more effectively to do his job,” Matthews said. Eubanks said he has a wide array of responsibilities to fulfill, including opening and closing the school each day, cafeteria duty, moving the grass, landscaping, cleaning and sanitizing the school. “I’m there for the kids,” Eubanks said. “That’s what it’s all about, is making sure that they have a safe and clean In addition to the plethora of shoes he fills, Eubanks also has a pivotal role in maintaining security and ensuring the safety of the students. Eighth Street recently installed a security gate that surrounds the entire campus, which Eubanks has to walk back and forth from many times a day without the aid of a golf cart of his own.
Beagles from historic rescue arrive at Marion’s Humane Society
Eddie Leedy Executive director of the Humane Society of Marion County
Aubrey Ancelet, a technician, plays with some of the beagles. Some of the 15 male beagles from Virginia play together in a field. We typically don’t go outside in the state of Florida, but on a rescue this large, it was all hands on deck.
“He has to share a utility cart with Osceola [Middle School], which is right next door to Eighth Street,” said Shanta Matthews, a local attorney. “Between the two of them, sometimes he’s able to use it—other times, he’s not.”
They’ve experienced fresh air, human affection and outdoor play at the no-kill shelter, most likely for the first time.
Floppy-eared, tumbling, fumbling puppies are always cute, but on the morning of Friday, Aug. 19, a new batch of beagles in town tugged extra-hard at the ol’ heartstrings. The 7-month-old male beagles leapt about, licking affectionately, running around in packs around the play yard of the Humane Society of Marion County. They were 15 of the 4,000-plus beagle puppies rescued from a massive breeding factory in Cumberland, Virginia. Their rehoming is historic, a mammoth undertaking and a first for all involved. The beagles’ journey to Ocala began last year, when an undercover PETA of the facility owned and operated by Envigo reported thousands of puppies with no beds, toys or stimulation of any kind. For more than 50 years, they had bred them there to sell to laboratories for experimentation.
Scott Leland, the kennel manager, plays with some of the rescued 15 male beagles from Virginia at the Humane Society of Marion County in Ocala on Friday, August 19, 2022.
Community rallies to fundraise for beloved custodian
Thomas Eubanks
“It would be easy access to lock the gates. We have a new gate, or fencing, around the whole school. I have to unlock the gate for the bus, so it’ll be easier and quicker to move around campus.” He is described as not only an excellent custodian, but also a smiling face for the students and a reliable person for teachers and parents alike to depend on, Matthews said. “Mr. Tom is extremely friendly and reliable. Anything you ask Mr. Tom to help with, he does,” Matthews said. “Whenever we have events, whether that be a 5k, or bike rodeo, those things happen outside of normal business hours. Tom gets there and he Eubankshelps.”said that the feeling is very mutual, and he has enjoyed his many years of service at Eighth Street and looks forward to many more. He expressed his gratitude for the many people who have donated to help the PTO reach their goal and purchase him a cart. “I always consider Eighth Street as my second family,” he said. “It means a lot that they would go out of their way and do something like this for me.”
A ll the custodial duties at Eighth fallElementaryStreetSchoolontheshoulders of one man—and now the community hopes to pay him back for his hard work with a fresh set of wheels.
DeSantis chalks up wins in school board races
The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Florida was $3.53 on Monday, down 11 cents from a week earlier, according to the AAA auto club.It was down from $4.15 a gallon a month ago. Average gas prices in Florida have steadily declined since hitting a record of $4.89 on June 13. Monday’s average price, however, remained significantly higher than the $2.98 a gallon a year ago.
“These victories officially FLIP the School Board to majority registered Republicans 4-3. More importantly it rejects the WOKE theEnoswithTuesday“SWEEP!”RepublicanLibertyspokeboardfoundedaaccordingspannedschool-boardColucciDadegovernorColuccischool-boardInhighlightedGOPanintotopoliciessexualization,indoctrination,andMarxistthathavebeenallowedoccurandputsthepowerbackthehandsofPARENTS!”emailfromtheDuvalCountysaidTuesdaynight.DeSantis’campaignalso“twomajorwins”Miami-DadeCountybycandidatesMonicaandRobertoAlonso.ThemadeastopinMiami-overtheweekendtoboostandAlonso.Winsby“parentalrights”candidates22countiesonTuesday,toMomsForLiberty,conservativeorganizationbytwoformerschool-members.DeSantislastmonthataMomsFor“summit”inTampa.TheSarasotaCountyPartydeclaredainschool-boardracesthat“resettheBoard,”winsbycandidatesTimothyandRobynMarinelliandre-electionofBridgetZiegler.
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AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE A7
The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s number of policies has continued to climb after reaching 1 million early this month.Citizens had 1,013,147 policies as of the end of last week, up from 1,000,624 on Aug. 5, according to the insurer’s website. Citizens, which was created as an insurer of last resort, has been flooded with policies during the past two years as private insurers have shed customers and raised rates because of financial problems. Also, five private insurers have been declared insolvent since February, which has led to homeowners turning to Citizens for coverage. As illustrations of the growth, Citizens had 499,056 policies on Aug. 31, 2020, and 687,079 policies on Aug. 31, 2021, according to data posted on its website.
“We are pleased to announce the successful completion of this deal, particularly given the challenging economic environment we are operating in,” Record MedMen’ssaid.website indicates it has stores in Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, Escambia, Pinellas, Leon and Palm Beach counties. It also has operations in Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada and New York, according to the website.
third-graderspartisanandnewschool“WhileinsystemFlorida’sandwonofMannycandidates.arecommendations,school-boardreleasedlistoftheirownpreferredPartyChairmanDiazannouncedthat10the28candidatesheendorsedTuesday.““UnderGovernorDeSantisRepublicanleadership,publiceducationisintrouble,”DiazsaidastatementTuesdaynight.DeSantishasturnedboardelectionsintopoliticalbattlegroundsfocusedonhispersonalpolitics,only25%ofaredemonstrating proficient reading levels, and less than half of high school students perform at a satisfactory level or better in algebra.” Diaz cast his preferred candidates as “committed public servants” who will “serve as champions for our public schools, parents, teachers, and students.”
Scott Gencarelli had lots of trees down in his Eldorado neighborhood home but his house was spared after tornado devastated homes, businesses and apartment buildings on Saturday March 12, 2022 in Ocala. [Alan Youngblood/Special to the Ocala Gazette]
“We need school board members who believe that public education is the bedrock of the American dream and that public education must afford every child the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, be responsible citizens and participate in a competitive global economy,” Diaz said.
saleissuedRecord,cultivationlicense,MedMenweek.MedMenGreensellclosedEnterprisescompanymedical-marijuanaMedMenInc.hasa$67milliondealtoitsFloridaoperationstoSentryHoldingsLLC,announcedthisThesaleincludesthemedical-marijuanadispensariesandoperations.EdMedMen’sCEO,astatementsayingtheisan“important”stepin
“Parents win, children win, education first wins. Woke indoctrination loses. A complete repudiation of the last two years of radical, divisive Board leadership,” the Sarasota party said in an email newsletter Wednesday. DeSantis will seek re-election in November against Democratic nominee Charlie Crist, who won a lopsided primary Tuesday over state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. Democrats, in an effort to counter DeSantis’
By Ryan Dailey Florida News Service Gov. Ron DeSantis took the unusual step this year of campaigning for county school-board candidates and saw most of them win Tuesday night, as the governor and local Republicans seek to elect conservative members to the boards and, at least in some cases, create conservative majorities. In the run-up to Tuesday’s primary elections, DeSantis released a slate of 30 endorsements of what he called “pro-parent” candidates for school boards. Nineteen of those candidates won races outright on Tuesday, and six advanced to the November general election. DeSantis campaign spokeswoman Lindsey Curnutte said the campaign is counting the results as 25 wins. Since July, the governor’s political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, has given $1,000 contributions to all 30 candidates, which the campaign billed as the first time a governor has made “significant” investments in the nonpartisan races. But the last two years have seen school boards become partisan battlegrounds. DeSantis and his administration have engaged in high-profile clashes with school boards that he accused of not respecting parental rights on issues such as mask requirements during the COVID-19DeSantispandemic.alsomade weekend appearances leading up to the primaries to boost his favored candidates.“Thisisnew, particularly for Republicans. Because that had basically been, unions would back candidates and that would be it. And so now, I think more
parents are interested, some of our voters are interested. We have no consequential races, really, statewide that are competitive. So you have a situation where this may be one reason why people are motivated. So we tried to help out this weekend,” DeSantis said Tuesday. After Tuesday’s results, some county Republican parties celebrated a “flip” in the makeup of school boards. The Duval County Republican Party celebrated the election of April Carney and re-election of board member Charlotte Joyce, both DeSantisbacked candidates.
File photo
The company restructuring efforts.
MARIJUANA COMPANY SELLS FLORIDA OPERATIONS CITIZENS POLICY COUNT CONTINUES TO CLIMB GAS PRICES CONTINUE DROPPING
Diaz-backed candidates won races in Alachua, Palm Beach, Marion, St. Lucie, Hillsborough, Osceola and Volusia counties. Three candidates backed by Diaz, Sarah Rockwell, Diyonne McGraw and Tina Certain, won races in Alachua County. Alachua County schools Superintendent Carlee Simon painted the wins as a rejection of DeSantis’ politics by local voters. “DeSantis pumped major money into our county to turn Alachua’s School Board “Red.” He failed miserably!! Every candidate he funded/ endorsed lost with huge margins. The appointee he inserted to terminate me … she’s gone too! Stop meddling @RonDeSantisFL, we don’t want you here!” Simon said in a Twitter post.
Thomas wrote Wednesday that attorneys for the plaintiffs and the state did not provide additional briefs or arguments after the July 21 decision.
The appeals court’s July 21 decision kept the stay in place, while also making clear that the panel likely would reject the underlying temporary injunction.
Non-prosecution of low-level offenses dropped in Tampa
“Every day that HB 5 remains enforceable, Florida patients in desperate need of post-15-week abortion services are being turned away and forced to attempt to seek abortions hundreds of miles or more out of state, to attempt abortions outside the medical system, or to continue pregnancies against their will,” a 30-page emergency motion said.
Attorneys for the clinics and the doctor asked the Florida Supreme Court on Friday to vacate the stay and pointed to irreparable harm.
By Associated Press The practice by a Florida prosecutor, who was suspended from his job by Gov. Ron DeSantis, of not prosecuting some misdemeanors including suspended licenses, disorderly conduct and panhandling has been dropped by his Susansuccessor.Lopez, who was appointed as state attorney for the Tampa area after DeSantis removed Andrew Warren from office, told her staff last week that she is rescinding the practice. The Tampa Bay Times reports that local leaders and experts fear the change will disproportionately affect people of color and the poor. They’re often “crimes of poverty,” said Melba Pearson, of the Center for Administrative Justice at Florida InternationalHillsboroughUniversity.CountySheriff Chad Chronister had criticized Warren’s nonprosecution practice.
Court Rejects Abortion Law Injunction
A key issue has been whether the plaintiffs could show “irreparable harm” from the near-total ban on abortions after 15 Inweeks.last month’s decision, Thomas wrote that “a temporary injunction cannot be issued absent a showing of irreparable harm. As to appellees (the abortion clinics and doctor) themselves, any loss of income from the operation of the law cannot provide a basis for a finding of irreparable harm as a matter of law. And the parties do not dispute that the operation of the law will not affect the majority of provided abortions.”
Lopez said in a statement last week that her office “will evaluate every case law enforcement sends us and make a decision about whether to prosecute.” “Some cases will go forward. Some will not,” she said. Warren, a Democrat, was suspended earlier this month by DeSantis, a Republican seeking reelection in November and a potential 2024 presidential candidate. The governor cited neglect of duty and other alleged violations from Warren signing statements with dozens of other prosecutors nationwide vowing not to pursue criminal cases against people who seek or provide abortions or gender transition treatments.
This combination of Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 photos shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren during separate news conferences in Tampa, Fla. On Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, Warren vowed to fight his suspension from office by DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the state’s 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments for minors. [Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP]
Warren said the governor was essentially seeking to nullify the will of voters in the Tampa area who elected him in 2016 and 2020. Warren’s “policy of presumptive nonprosecution” for misdemeanors such as suspended licenses, disorderly conduct, panhandling and prostitution was not necessarily a blanket policy of never prosecuting those charges. Under his policy, charges could go forward if, for example, the accused were also charged with another crime or were in violation of probation.
In Wednesday’s ruling, he briefly alluded to the issue, writing that the plaintiffs “could not assert irreparable harm on behalf of persons not appearing below” in circuit court. In her dissent last month, Kelsey argued that the court should vacate the stay that allowed the abortion limit to remain in effect. She cited that opinion Wednesday as she again dissented.
“In the specific context of abortion regulation, the Florida Supreme Court has held that even ‘minimal’ loss of the constitutional right of privacy is per-se irreparable injury,” Kelsey wrote last month, She added, “We are therefore required to presume irreparable harm.”
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTEA8 CELEBRATE ALL SEPTEMBER LONG WITH GREAT DEALS THAT 2022 SEE IT! BUY IT! TAKE IT HOME! WORK FOR YOU! 10AM — 6PM *Payments shown based on 48 month financing estimates. Your payments may vary based on your credit approval. See associate for details. Prior sales not included. Due to early advertising deadlines, some items may be sold or out of stock. See or call store for details on total delivery area. Delivery is additional. Product photos are for illustration only, actual product may not be as pictured. Not responsible for typographical errors moreevenFor Savings visit:Flyer,Monthlyourviewtoand www.BlockersFurniture.com FURNITUREOUTDOOR SALE! Save $1300 Save $300Save $250 Save $200 $3499 WAS $ 4799 $999 WAS $1299 $799 WAS $1049 LEEWARDEN Queen Bed with Dresser & Mirror $999 WAS $1199 PARKER HOUSE HAZE 6 Piece Power Sectional ABINGER SMOKE 2 Piece Sectional Available in smoke or natural CAVALCADE Reclining Console Reclining Sofa: $799 $73 starting at PER MO $ 21 starting at PER MO $17 starting at PER MO* $ 21 starting at PER MO* 25% OFF ALL OUTDOOR FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES Top brands, In-Stock and Ready for your Patio SEE IT, BUY IT, TAKE IT HOME! CHECK OUT BLOCKER’S MATTRESS GALLERY up to 60 FINANCINGMONTHS SEE ASSOCIATE FOR DETAILS MATTRESSES $399starting at By Jim Saunders Florida News Service An appeals court Wednesday tossed out a temporary injunction that would have blocked a new Florida law preventing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal had signaled last month that it would reject the temporary injunction issued by Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper, who said the 15-week limit violated a privacy right in the Florida Constitution. Wednesday’s one-paragraph main ruling, written by Judge Brad Thomas and joined by Judge Stephanie Ray, cited a July 21 decision by the panel that allowed the 15-week limit to remain in effect as legal battling continued. Judge Susan Kelsey dissented Wednesday, as she did in the July 21 decision. The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the 15-week limit this year amid a national debate about abortion rights. A group of abortion clinics and a doctor filed the lawsuit June 1, arguing that the limit violated a privacy clause in the Florida Constitution that has long played a key role in bolstering abortion rights in the state. Cooper agreed with the plaintiffs, issuing a temporary injunction July 5. The state quickly appealed, which, under legal rules, placed an automatic stay on the temporary injunction.
“By unilaterally stating you are not going to prosecute, you are failing to hold individuals accountable for their actions, which only empowers them to commit additional crimes,” Chronister wrote in a letter to Warren earlier this year.
Also, Thomas wrote that the plaintiffs “cannot lawfully obtain a temporary injunction as they cannot assert that they will suffer irreparable harm unless the trial court preserves the status quo ante. … Appellees’ claims are based on the allegation that they are in doubt regarding their ability to provide abortions, not that they themselves may be prohibited from obtaining an abortion after a certain time.”
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE A9
Crist Defeats Fried, Sets Up Battle with DeSantis
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in busi ness under the fictitious name of ”Adopt a Shopper at Oak Run” located at 6350 SW 117th Loop, in the City of Ocala, FL 34476 intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Tal lahassee, Florida and/or the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Marion County. Company Name The Oak Run Neighbors Helping Neigh bors Foundation Inc 6350 SW 117th Loop SignedFLOcala,34476:Richard B. Cunningham, Execu tive DateSecretary:19thAugust 2022 Rep Charlie Crist, D-Fla., gestures after declaring victory Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Crist defeated Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried in the Democratic gubernatorial primary election and will face incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in November. [AP Photo/Chris O’Meara]
Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARI ON COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVI INSIONRE: ESTATE OF BRENT PARIS NOTICEDeceased.JONES,TO
“On day one of my administration, I will sign an executive order protecting a woman’s right to choose,” Crist said. Then a Republican, Crist was elected governor in 2006 after serving as education commissioner, attorney general and a state senator. Crist served only one term in the governor’s office and was elected to Congress in 2016 as a Democrat. Crist highlighted his experience throughout the campaign.
By Ryan Dailey and Jim Turner Florida News Service Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist won a lopsided primary Tuesday over Nikki Fried, setting up a November general election where he will have to bring together the Democratic Party to take on Gov. Ron DeSantis. Crist, a St. Petersburg congressman and former governor, took nearly 60 percent of the vote as of a 9:30 p.m. count, handily winning Democratic strongholds over Fried, the state agricultureSpeakingcommissioner.tosupporters at a downtown St. Petersburg hotel, Crist said a victory in November would “send shockwaves across thisCristcountry.”spent much of the victory speech contrasting himself with DeSantis, who has skyrocketed to national fame and is a potential contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Crist painted DeSantis as “abusive” and as a “bully” who is blinded by his presidential ambitions. “Gov. DeSantis only cares about the White House, he doesn’t care about your house,” Crist said, eliciting applause from the crowd of roughly 250 people. Crist also pledged to reverse some of DeSantis’ high-profile decisions and legislative priorities. For instance, Crist said he would reinstate suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren as one of his first acts as governor. DeSantis suspended Warren this month, citing a pledge by Warren not to prosecute people who provide abortions. A new Florida law restricting abortion access to 15 weeks of pregnancy was a priority of DeSantis during the 2022 legislative session — another issue Crist promised to dismantle.
THE TIME PERI ODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first pub lication of this notice is Attorney for Personal Representative: Brice Zoecklein Email Address: brice@zoeckleinlawpa. Floridacom Bar No. 0085615 Zoecklein Law, P.A. 329 Pauls Drive Brandon, Florida 33511 Personal Representative: April Moon 21620 Bloomfield Avenue - No. 1 Hawaiian Gardens, California 90716
“I’ve proudly served as your governor once before. And unlike the current governor I represented every Floridian, regardless of what political party they belonged to or how much money was in their wallet, or even who they loved,” Crist said. Fried, who as agriculture commissioner has been the Democrats’ only statewide elected official since 2018, played up that she is “something new” as a contrast to Crist. But Fried drew only about 35 percent of the vote Tuesday. Shortly after 8 p.m. Fried told supporters at a watch party inside Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale that she called Crist to offer congratulations and support, saying women’s rights and democracy are “on the line in November.”“Weare going to make Ron DeSantis a one-term governor,” Fried said. “And a zero term president of the United States.” She also called on the party to unite behind Crist and elect Democrats in other races. “We have to be united like we have never been united before,” Fried said. “And I will campaign up and down the ballot to make sure that Democrats are elected into our city and county commission seats. Into our statewide elected positions. Into our senators and into our House members.” Crist will have to quickly name a running mate and raise money. It’s unknown how much national Democratic organizations will pump into the contest. Heading into the final weekend before the primary, Crist had spent all but about $500,000 from his Friends of Charlie Crist political committee and $800,000 from his personal campaign account. DeSantis, who spent the final weeks of the primary traveling the nation and promoting school-board candidates in Florida, has about $10 million in his personal campaign account and his political committee had more than $122 million on hand. DeSantis, who predicted a Crist victory on Tuesday morning, took shots at both Democratic candidates following a meeting of the Florida Cabinet. “They have opposed every decision I’ve made to keep this state open, to keep people’s rights … to save jobs, to keep kids in school, to save businesses. And if we would have done what they wanted to do, shut down the state in July of 2020, which they asked me to do and I refused, that would have hurt millions of people in this state,” DeSantis told reporters.
Republican Governors Association Executive Director Dave Rexrode echoed some of those criticisms following Crist’s primary“Charliewin.Crist has stood in lockstep with Joe Biden as he played nice with dictators in Cuba and Venezuela, and his failed economic policies raised taxes and increased the cost of living across every sector of the economy. We’re confident he’ll be rejected for a third time this November, and we look forward to Gov. DeSantis’ decisive re-election,” Rexrode said in a statement. But high-ranking Democrats voiced support Tuesday night for Crist, as they look for a candidate to stand up to DeSantis in a race that political experts are projecting represents long odds for the party.
— News Service Assignment Manager Tom Urban contributed to this report.
“Crist is a tested leader who’s running for governor to put the people back in charge and restore civility to our politics. He will fight to lower prescription drug costs, expand Medicaid and defend the right to vote. Crist will tackle Florida’s housing affordability crisis, which has ballooned under DeSantis, leaving Floridians struggling to make ends meet,” Diaz said in a statement.
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz billed Crist as having “united Floridians far and wide” in the election.
CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Brent Paris Jones, deceased, whose date of death was May 13, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue #1, Ocala, Florida 34471. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the person al representative's attorney are set forth Allbelow.creditors of the decedent and oth er 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 PUBLI CATION 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. Case No. 22-CP-001357 ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORI STATUTESDA SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER NOTWITHSTANDINGBARRED.
While he’s widely viewed as one of the state’s most skilled retail politicians, Crist’s switching of parties and legacy of runs for office --- the 2022 governor’s race is his seventh statewide effort --- also expose a vulnerability that critics such as Fried repeatedly tried to exploit.
AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE expertiseSurgical that revolves around you. Expertise. Innovation. Technology. AdventHealthOcala.com From minimally invasive procedures to complex surgery, AdventHealth Ocala is leading the way to reimagine surgical care. Backed by national awards and accreditations, our specialists use the latest innovations, like robotic surgical systems, that mean less pain, less scarring, and a quicker recovery – so you can feel whole and get back to the life you love.
“For most, like Cristina, it is their first time exhibiting in the Ocala Metro.”
People, Places & Things B1AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE
Ashley Justiniano Events and gallery manager at the Brick
An international artist by design Interior designer and painter Cristina Rodriguez recently relocated to Ocala and will be featured in MCA’s “Arte Hispano” in September.
Abstracto Acrylic on canvas Face Acrylic on canvas Blooming Girl Acrylic on canvas First Friday Art Walk in downtown Ocala, with an artists’ reception from 5 to 7 p.m. that will feature Spanish guitar music by Nino Castañeda and include cocktails, tapas and other refreshments.“Wearebeyond excited to be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at MCA’s Brick City Center for the Arts,” said Justiniano. “As gallery director for the Cultural Alliance and a Hispanic member of the community, I feel it is essential to produce events that represent my culture, that showcase the diversity and talent of our local Hispanic and Latinx artists. We hope to expand our reach to the growing Hispanic/Latinx community in Marion County and let them know that MCA is available as a platform for local art and culture… y que aquí se habla“Arteespañol.”Hispano” will be on view through Oct. 1 at MCA’s Brick City Center for the Arts. Gallery admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tueday-Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Other events associated with “Arte Hispano” include an “In Memoriam” section featuring the art of Carlos Juan Vázquez Cruz, Mónica Garcés (yoga in the gallery) and Baila Caliente Ocala (salsa class). For more information, visit mcaocala.org or call 352-369-1500. Se habla Epañol.
Rodriguez’s expressive, intricate largeformat paintings reflect her ability to be both magnanimous and meticulous. “I work a lot in acrylic with a spatula, sponge and brush,” she explained. “Most of my paintings are around 8-by-9-feet tall, but there are some small ones.” Her mother, an artist in her youth, was a big inspiration for her. Growing up, Rodriguez would annoy her mom by stealing her fashion magazines and painting over the eyes and other facial features of the cover models. Productivity seems to be in her genes. She has a 20-year-old daughter who is a medical student at Nova University Southeastern University and plans to become a cosmetic surgeon. Whatever Rodriguez does, she does it wholeheartedly.“Ihavenever been pretentious; I don’t like it,” she said with a mix of humor and conviction.Thenewly transplanted artist plans to attend the Sept. 2 opening reception of “Arte Hispano,” which will coincide with the
By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com
C ristina Rodriguez just moved to Ocala four months ago and she’s poised to make a gran impresión in the local art scene and beyond. The Colombian-born interior designer/ artist has worked in all media throughout her life. She lived in Mexico for a time and conceptualized sets for Telemundo. She recently relocated here from Miami. Her ability to habituate to different settings mirrors her explorative spirit as a designer and“Iartist.loveto stay busy,” Rodriguez emphasized.Thisweek, she is busy relocating her paintings from Miami, which will debut locally in the Marion Cultural Alliance’s “Arte Hispano” show from Sept. 2 to Oct. 1 at the MCA’s Brick City Center for the Arts, or the TheBrick.exhibit commemorates National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed in the U.S. from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The multimedia show will feature works by six artists of Hispanic origin who now call Central Florida home: Rodriguez, Amy Alvarado (Alva Boutique, fashion), Ed Pérez Pérez (painting), Fabiola Asuaje (audiovisual), Saul Reyes (photography) and Alma Lugo (painting). “All participating artists in this exhibit are native Spanish speakers from various Hispanic regions, including Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela,” said Ashley Justiniano, events and gallery manager at the“ForBrick.most, like Cristina, it is their first time exhibiting in the Ocala Metro,” JustinianoRodriguezadded.was born in the coastal town Montería and grew up in Medellín. She has a degree in interior design and has worked in ceramics in addition to painting. “I love everything that has to do with sculpture and everything that has to do with manual arts,” she said. The word “everything” comes up more than once while talking to Rodriguez, suggesting that inclusivity and openness are important to her. She paints everything from commissioned portraits to landscapes and“Imurals.paintreal faces, imaginary faces,” she said. “I work every day and I’m inspired everyHerday.”subjects include animals and humans.“Ihave many animals here in Ocala,” she said, “horses, goats, chickens. My husband is a horse trainer and we live around four minutes from WEC (the World Equestrian Center). We’ve been together for almost seven years and we bought our farm because we wanted to come and live in such a superrural area, and we love all of it.”
Researchers use artificial intelligence to create a treasure map of undiscovered ant species
Years ago, when I got my history degree, I said to myself, “I’d better get a business degree, too, so I have something useful.” But I’ve learned over the years that if more people knew more about history, our world would be a better place. History is constantly speaking to us. Travelers enjoy a privileged way to hear it -- and sometimes an up-close chance to witness history in the making. Whenever I see the restored Reichstag building in Berlin, I’m reminded of my visit in 1999, when it reopened to the public. For tourists unaware of history, it was just a new dome to climb, offering another vantage point on the city. But a knowledge of its past gives it far deeper meaning. It was in this building that the German Republic was proclaimed in 1918. In 1933, this symbol of democracy nearly burned down. While the Nazis blamed a communist plot, some believe that Hitler himself planned the fire. Whatever the case, he used the fire as a convenient excuse to frame the communists and grab total power. After 1945, this historic home of the German parliament -- which saw some of the last fighting of World War II on its rooftop -- stood as an abandoned and bombed-out hulk overlooking the noman’s-land between East and West Berlin. After reunification, Germany’s government returned from Bonn to Berlin. And, in good European fashion, the Germans didn’t bulldoze their parliament building. They respected the building’s cultural roots and renovated it. They capped it with a glorious glass dome, incorporating modern architectural design into a late-19th-century icon, and opened it up to the people. The dome rises 50 yards above the ground. Inside, a cone of 360 mirrors reflects natural light into the legislative chamber below. Lit from inside at night, it gives Berlin a kind of lantern celebrating good governance. The Reichstag dome is a powerful architectural symbol. German citizens climb its long spiral ramp to the very top and look down, literally over the shoulders of their legislators, to see what’s on their desks. Jerked around too much by their politicians in the past century, Germans are determined to keep a closer eye on them from now on. And this dome is designed to let them do exactly that. When the Reichstag first reopened, I climbed to the top of the dome and found myself surrounded by teary-eyed Germans. Anytime you’re surrounded by teary-eyed Germans, something exceptional is going on. It occurred to me that most of these people were old enough to remember the difficult times after World War II, when their city lay in rubble. What an exciting moment for them: the opening of this grand building was the symbolic closing of a difficult chapter in the history of a great nation. No more division. No more communism. No more fascism. They had a united government entering a new century with a new capitol building, looking into a promising future. It was a thrill to be there. I was caught up in it. As I looked around at the other tourists, it occurred to me that most of them didn’t have a clue about what was going on. They were so preoccupied with trivialities -- camera batteries, their Cokes, the air-conditioning -- that they missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate this great moment with the German people. I thought, “I’m living in a dumbeddown society.” And it saddened me. I don’t want to live in a dumbed-down society. Powerful forces find it convenient when we’re dumbed down. As a society, we become easier to manipulate...easier to make money from. I vowed right there, in my work as a travel writer, that I would expect my readers to be engaged...and made smarter by their travels. In mainstream tourism, we’re often encouraged to be lighthearted and avoid the serious. Sure, fun in the sun, dutyfree shopping, and enjoying the nightlife can be a big part of your vacation. I enjoy it, too. But all this can distract us from a more important reason to travel. Travel can broaden our perspective, enabling us to rise above the advertiser-driven info tainment we call the news to see things as citizens of the world. By plugging directly into the present and getting the world’s take on things firsthand, a traveler goes beyond traditional sightseeing. (And shortly after that inspirational Berlin visit, I wrote an entirely new kind of book that develops that notion, called Travel as a PoliticalWhenAct.)wetravel, we have the opportunity to see history as it’s unfolding. With knowledge of the past, we can better appreciate the significance of what’s happening today. That’s something a lot of travelers don’t take advantage of - and it’s never been more important.
By Rick Steves
(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)
By Lucy Dickie & Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History E. O. onceWilsonreferred to invertebrates as “the little things that run the world,” without whom “the human species [wouldn’t] last more than a few months.” Although small, invertebrates have an outsized influence on their forisremainsofdiverseasaboutmostandvertebratesotheraloneknownmoreuplackcycling.anddownpollinatingenvironments,plants,breakingorganicmatterspeedingupnutrientAndwhattheyinstature,theymakeforindiversity.Withthanonemillionspecies,insectsvastlyoutnumberallinvertebratesandcombined.Despitetheirimportanceubiquity,someofthebasicinformationinvertebrates,suchwherethey’remostandhowmanythemthereare,stillamystery.Thisespeciallyproblematicconservationscientists trying to stave off global insect declines; you can’t conserve something if you don’t know where to look for Init. a new study published this Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, researchers used ants as a proxy to help close major knowledge gaps and hopefully begin reversing these declines. Working for more than a decade, researchers from institutions around the world stitched together nearly onlinefrommillionone-and-a-halflocationrecordsresearchpublications,databases,museums and scientific field work. They used those records to help produce the largest global map of insect diversity ever created, which can be used to direct future conservation efforts.
Inside the dome of the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament building. [Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli/Rick Steves’ Europe]
B2 AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE
Berlin’s Reichstag: Teary-Eyed Germans and a Big Glass Dome
“This is a massive undertaking for a group known to be a critical ecosystem engineer,” said co-author Robert Guralnick, curator of biodiversity informatics at the Florida Museum of Natural History. “It represents an enormous effort not only among all the co-authors but the many naturalists who have contributed knowledge about distributions of ants across the Creatingglobe.”amap large enough to account for the entirety of ant biodiversity presented several logistical challenges. All currently known ant species were included, which numbered at more than 14,000, and each one varied dramatically in the amount of data available. The majority of the records used contained a description of the location where an ant was collected or spotted but did not always have the precise coordinates needed for mapping. Inferring the extent of an ant’s range from incomplete records required some clever data wrangling.Co-author Kenneth Dudley, a builtScienceOkinawatechnicianresearchwiththeInstituteofandTechnology,acomputational workflow to estimate the coordinates from the available data, which also checked the data for errors. This allowed the researchers to make different range estimates for each species of ant depending on how much data was available. For species with less data, they constructed shapes surrounding the data points. For species with more data, the researchers predicted the distribution of each species using statistical models that they tuned to reduce as much noise as possible.Theresearchers brought these estimates together to form a global map, divided into a grid of 20 km by 20 km squares, that showed an estimate of the number of ant species per square, called the species richness. They also created a map that showed the number of ant species with very small ranges per square, representing the species rarity. In general, species with small ranges are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. However, there was another problem overcome—samplingto bias. “Some areas of the world that we expected to be centers of diversity were not showing up on our map, but ants in these regions were not well-studied,” explained co-first author Jamie Kass, a postdoctoral fellow at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. “Other areas were extremely wellsampled, for example parts of the USA and Europe, and this difference in sampling can impact our estimates of global diversity.” So, the researchers utilized machine learning to predict how their diversity would change if they sampled all areas around the world equally, and in doing so, identified areas where they estimate many unknown, unsampled species“Thisexist.gives us a kind of ‘treasure map,’ which can guide us to where we should explore next and look for new species with restricted ranges,” said senior author Evan Economo, a professor at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. When the researchers compared the rarity and richness of ant distributions to the comparatively wellstudied amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles, they found that ants were about as different from these vertebrate groups as the vertebrate groups were from each other. This was unexpected given that ants are evolutionarily highly distant from vertebrates, and it suggests that priority areas for vertebrate diversity may also have a high diversity of invertebrate species. The authors caution, however, that ant biodiversity patterns have unique features. For example, the Mediterranean and East Asia show up as diversity centers for ants more than for lookedFinally,vertebrates.theresearchersathowwellprotected these areas of high ant diversity are. They found that it was a low percentage—only 15% of the top 10% of ant rarity centers had some sort of legal protection, such as a national park or reserve, which is less than existing protection for vertebrates. “Clearly, we have a lot of work to do to protect these critical areas,” Economo concluded.
pushed. Occasionally, people have itching in the ear canal as well as some drainage of clear, odorless fluid. Swimmer’s ear symptoms are usually mild at first, but they can worsen if the infection isn’t treated or spreads. It is important to be aware if you begin to experience a feeling of fullness in your ears, increased pain or more intense itching, or begin to have hearing complications. The infection may be progressing. However, temporary hearing loss could occur until the infection clears.
• Use a preventive treatment. As long as you do not have punctured eardrums, you can use homemade preventive eardrops before and after swimming to help reduce the risk for swimmer’s ear. A mixture of one-part white vinegar to one part rubbing alcohol can promote drying and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause swimmer’s ear. Pour 1 teaspoon of the solution into each ear and let it drain back out. Similar over-the-counter solutions might be available at your drugstore. Additionally, consider wearing earplugs while swimming. • Avoid putting foreign objects in the ear. Cotton swabs can pack material deeper into the ear canal, irritate the thin skin inside the ear or break the skin. If you are trying to clean the ear and remove wax, do so without using cotton swabs or other instruments.
ANSWER: Swimmer’s ear is an infection in the outer ear canal, which runs from your eardrum to the outside of your head. It’s often brought on by water that remains in your ear, creating a moist environment that aids the growth of bacteria. Swimmer’s ear also is known as otitis externa, and it can affect people of any age. And it can affect those who do not spend time in the water, since it occurs because of bacteria invading the skin inside the ear canal. Excess moisture in the ear from heavy perspiration or prolonged humid weather also can be a culprit. Scratches or abrasions in the ear canal increase the risk of developing otitis externa. Putting fingers, cotton swabs or other objects in the ears, such as earbuds or hearing aids, also can lead to this infection by damaging the thin layer of skin lining the ear canal. Any small breaks in the skin can allow bacteria to grow. Being aware of the risk for the condition and prompt treatment can prevent complications and other, more serious issues. Typically, you can treat swimmer’s ear with ear drops. Recurrent infections may require additional worsensrednessearCommontreatment.signsofswimmer’sarewhatyoudescribed:andmilddiscomfortthatwhentheearispulledor
The festive luncheon event also honored past chapter presidents and 15 were in attendance. One of them, Carol SavageHagans, APR, CPRC, paid tribute to them, especially James, saying she had helped “pave the way” for others. Ocala Chapter President Heather Danenhower Nelson, APR, CPRC, was the emcee for the event. She invited James to help her present the newly-named Toni James, APR, CPRC, PACEsetter Award to both Tina Banner and Beverly Brown. “As president, I came up with the idea to rename the Ocala Chapter’s PACEsetter of the Year Award after Toni James, APR, CPRC, to recognize the indelible mark she has left on all of us – the public relations profession, the Ocala Chapter, our state association and local community,” said Danenhower Nelson. “I presented the idea to our chapter board in February. The board unanimously approved the motion. We miraculously kept everything a surprise for six months until Aug. 19.”
Follow these tips to avoid swimmer’s ear:
• Jen Pagh, Liquid Creative, Golden Image and Judge’s Award for promotional marketing in the Public Relations Program division and Golden Image and Judge’s Award in the external video category of Digital Tools of Public Relations as well as Award of Distinction for digital promotion.
• Allison Campbell, APR, CPRC, and Greg Davis graduated from LeadershipFPRA, Class VI. Christopher Bradford was selected as a member of the 2022-2023 LeadershipFPRA, Class VII. Bradford, Campbell and Davis received partial scholarships from the Ocala Chapter to take part in the program.
Success By 6 and Kids Central. Of the honor bestowed on her Friday, James said she was “overwhelmed.” “I’m just grateful for what I could do, and for what it meant,” she said. “And I’m so grateful for this organization, which I have belonged to for more than 40 years.”
B3AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE
Other annual conference highlights included:•Lindsay Tozer, FCRM, Ocala Chapter president-elect, was recognized as a member of the 2022 Joe Curley Rising Leader Class.
The Toni James, APR, CPRC, PACEsetter Award was renamed for her years of leadership and service.
Toni James, second from right, pounds the gavel as she takes part in the gavel-passing ceremony with other past presidents, from left: Donna Hogan Delahunty, Karen Jensen and Margaret Spontak, during the Florida Public Relations Association Ocala Chapter ceremony at the Ocala Golf Club in Ocala on Friday, August 19, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022. Toni James, right, walks to the podium to be honored, as she is congratulated by Margaret Spontak, left. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022. Toni James, left, gets a hug from Cherietta Prince, right, after she was honored. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
Those who accomplish significant achievements in life often are honored by having something named for them, such as a building or a road. On Friday, Aug. 19, the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) renamed its PACEsetter Award in honor of Toni James, APR,TheCPRC.chapter’s PACEsetter award was established in 2004 to recognize a member who demonstrates excellence and helps advance the chapter and state association mission. PACE stands for Professional and Career Enhancement. Recipients are selected by the chapter president. James was the recipient of the award in 2011. James was a founding member of the Ocala Chapter in 1980, twice served as president and was state vice president of the Golden Image Awards, a competition conducted annually by the FPRA. In 2009, she was the recipient of the Doris Fleishman Award, a statewide award honoring a selfless, dedicated volunteer who steadfastly and quietly contributes to the public relations profession. In 2013, James was one of only two professionals in the state to earn her credential as a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC). She also has attained the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)Jamescredential.iswellknown locally for her more than 30 years of service with United Way of Marion County, including as president. In 2018, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ocala Chapter of FPRA, in part for her work with United Way. She is the owner of Toni James & Associates Strategic Relations.PublicShehas served on numerous community boards, such as with the Ocala OcalaAlliance,CountyNetwork,ofMarionMedicalofgroupsbeenOrchestra,SymphonyandhasinvolvedwithsuchasFriendsMunroeRegionalCenter,SavetheTheatre,WomenWorth,OcalaWomen’sRotary,MarionChildren’sFriendsofthePublicLibrary,
• Keep ears dry. After swimming or bathing, dry your ears by wiping the outer portion gently with a soft towel or cloth. Tip your head to the side to help water drain from the ear canal. You also can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting, holding it at least a foot away from the ear.
Ear infections can occur from a variety of activities, including swimming
Devon Chestnut, a member of the Ocala Chapter and outgoing president of the statewide association, installed some of the chapter’s incoming board members during the event. She also recognized the Ocala Chapter with two President’s Awards from the FPRA’s 83rd annual professional development conference, which took place Aug. 7-10 in Orlando.
FPRA was founded in 1938 and has 16 professional and 14 student chapters throughout the state. To learn more about FPRA Ocala, visit fpraocala.org.
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I swim for exercise and relaxation. I try to get in the pool about three times a week. Recently, I have begun to have episodes where it feels like water is still in my ear. Then my ear becomes red and painful. A friend suggested I might have swimmer’s ear. Is this something that is easy to treat? Do I need to stop swimming?
FPRA chapter honors longtime member
• Pamela Calero and Savannah Silliman, Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Award of Distinction in the Collateral of Public Relations division.
• Heather Danenhower Nelson, APR, CPRC, Duke Energy, Award of Distinction in the internal communications category of Public Relations Programs.
• Kristina Donohue, APR, was recognized for earning her Accredited in Public Relations credential.
• Robin Grantham, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Golden Image and Judge’s Award in the public affairs category of Public Relations Programs.
• Protect ears from irritants. Putting cotton balls in the ears while applying products such as hair sprays and hair dyes can reduce risk of bacteria getting into the ear canal. Since you have not been diagnosed with swimmer’s ear, it would be helpful to talk with your primary health care professional to confirm the condition and provide the proper treatment. You should not have to give up swimming for exercise, but you may need to take a temporary break from the pool for a few days. Your health care team can offer guidance on when to return to the water. -- Compiled by Mayo Clinic staff (Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu.to For more information, visit www. mayoclinic.org.)
Several Ocala Chapter members won statewide Golden Image Awards during the conference:
Mayo Staff Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
1. In a large bowl, whisk egg, chili powder, salt and pepper until well combined. Set 2.aside.Add tortilla chips to the food processor and process until tortilla chips are very finely ground, about 1 minute.
Have a can of black beans in your pantry? You’re ready to make one heck of a veggie burger! But first, here’s a little history on canned beans. The process of getting beans from the plant to the can is a marvel of culinary engineering. First, bean plants are cut down and left to dry out. Then, machines separate the dried beans from their pods. While the exact canning process varies from brand to brand, it usually starts with cleaning the beans, sorting them by size, and removing any beans that are damaged. Then, the dried beans are quickly cooked in hot water before they’re sealed in their cans along with water and salt. The salt not only seasons the beans but also makes their skins more tender. Finally, the beans are pressure cooked, right in their cans -- no pot required. The result? Perfectly cooked, flavorful beans, ready to use at a moment’s notice.
9. Serve with lettuce and sriracha mayonnaise.
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3. Add beans and scallions to processor. Pulse until ingredients are finely chopped.
(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands -- which includes Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test Kitchen Kids -- offers reliable recipes for cooks of all ages and skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)
Black beans and Southwestern inspired seasoning dress up this veggie burger. [Marie Piraino] Feel better. Live better.
Black Bean Burgers Serves 4 1 large egg 1 tablespoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (1 cup) 2 cups drained black beans 4 scallions, ends trimmed and chopped coarse 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 to 1 teaspoon sriracha 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 small head Bibb lettuce (6 ounces), leaves separated 4 hamburger buns, toasted
4. Transfer black bean mixture to bowl with egg mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gently stir ingredients until just combined.
A FLAVORFUL TWIST ON A CLASSIC VEGGIE BURGER
5. Use wet hands to divide black bean mixture into 4 portions and form 4 lightly packed balls. Gently flatten each ball into a circle that measures 3 1/2 inches across. Transfer patties to a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
B4 AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square. ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B7 Across1Garbage delivery vehicle? 8 World Chess Champion Carlsen 14 Susan Ruttan’s “L.A. Law” role 15 Used up a lot of 17 Like some stockings 18 Attorney’s knowledge base 19 “Anyone can play,” on game boxes 20 Pretend 21 “Who __?”: New Orleans Saints chant 22 Slowed 23 Intelligence 26 Beginning of an apology 27 One Pillar Pagoda city 28 Riding a Segway, say 34 Free-spirited 37 Bestowed on 38 “Absentia” co-star __ Katic 39 Permit 40 Dishonestly obtained 41 Runs on 46 Term of affection 47 Big name in portable illumination 48 Bond first bought by FDR in 1941 52 New York natives 53 Emergency sorting systems 54 Tubular pastries 55 Fruit in some Chinese New Year customs 56 Hardly shines 57 Innocently charming Down1Quinceañera honoree: Abbr. 2 Group to select from 3 “Beverly Hills Cop” cop Foley 4 All thumbs 5 Less than 2% have this type 6 Beginnings 7 Rizzoli and Isles creator Gerritsen 8 Popular ‚90s dance 9 How rush-hour traffic often moves 10 Beau __ 11 Physics Nobelist the year after Albert 12 Hard to see in, at times 13 Chips on the table 16 Wasn’t square 22 Comes (to) 23 Homemade knife 24 It may be braided for competition 25 Additions 29 One focused on the past 30 Tallinn natives 31 Too many to name, for short 32 It may be a cue 33 Medical procedure 35 Chatter 36 Umlaut lookalike 40 Shepherd formerly of “The View” 41 Coll. QB, stereotypically 42 Turner and Wachowski 43 Office plant, perhaps 44 Pancakes served with sour cream 45 Try to buy 48 Put overhead, maybe 49 Eleven’s favorite breakfast brand, in “Stranger Things” 50 Look 51 Ancient being?
By America’s Test Kitchen
6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir mayonnaise and sriracha until well combined. Set aside.
7. When patties are ready, heat oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet for 1 minute (oil should be hot but not smoking). Carefully place patties in skillet and cook over medium heat until well browned on the first side, 4 to 6 minutes.
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8. Use a spatula to gently flip patties. Cook until well browned on the second side, 4 to 5 minutes.
The Yellow Pony World CenterEquestrianOcala,1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala SEPTEMBER 3
AUGUST 26-28 Ocala Dressage Show World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala All day Dressage has historical precedents and was initially used for training military and warhorses. Freestyle tests, set to music, is one of the most popular parts of the sport, akin to dancing on horseback. For more info, see worldequestriancenter.com
Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier Ocala International Airport, 5770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala Hours vary per airport operations Ocala resident Dozier exhibits a variety of work including landscapes, abstracts, still life and animal portraits. This is part of the City of Ocala Art in City Spaces program. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/ artincityspaces
Farmers Swap Meet Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm A true farmers swap meet where chickens, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.
Doug Adams Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm
Invented PhotographsObservations:bySteven Benson Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm The works of professor, educator and artist Benson represent the human search for meaning. For more info, appletonmuseum.org for details.
AUGUST 26 & SEPTEMBER 2 Marion County Friday Market McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.
AUGUST 26 Humans in Disguise Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.
AUGUST 27 & SEPTEMBER 3
Floral Retrospective by Gregory Dirr Ocala City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Boca Raton artist Gregory Dirr emphasizes environmental conservation in his interdisciplinary artworks. Using paint, multi-media resources, fabric and glass, Dirr’s works is a response to the world around us. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/ artincityspaces THROUGH JANUARY 2023
AUGUST 27 Classic Cruisers Cruise-In Car Show Six Gun Plaza, 4901 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-9pm The Classic Cruisers car club hosts a monthly cruise-in at Six Gun Plaza. Spectators can stroll through show cars from many eras and talk to the owners. The shopping center has lots of food options. Show entries and spectators welcome. Read more on classiccruisersocala.com/
AUGUST 26
Reggie Stacy Homestead Park Williston 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm
AUGUST 28
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
CALENDAR LISTINGS community
SEPTEMBER 1 Farmers Market The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.
Summer Sunset Polo Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm Once the sun goes down, the breeze kicks in. Free to the public, tailgate right next to the polo field and enjoy a unique evening out. Saturday evenings through September. For more info, ocalapolo.com
SEPTEMBER 2 First Friday Art Walk Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala 6pm-9pm The art walk season starts its SeptemberMay calendar this week. Artists will display their creations and family art activities will be offered, along with live music and food vendors. Downtown shops and restaurants offer extended hours. For more info, ocalafl.org/artwalk arts
Julijana Prest Art Exhibit
MadisonMiranda
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
Woofstock Benefit Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 4pm-8m Vendors, food trucks, classic rock by Jeff Brown and a doggie costume contest are slated for this benefit for Hearts Healing Hearts H34Dogs animals recuse. Humans and dogs are encouraged to come dressed in tie-dye, love beads and bellbottoms. Dog costume contest at 6 pm. Donations of dog food and treats are welcomed. See facebook.com/
AUGUST 31
AUGUST 27 & SEPTEMBER 3 Ocala Farmers Market Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.
The Joey & Jenny Duo
SEPTEMBER 3 SCRIB-SCRABS: A Solo Art Exhibit by Jordan Shapot 8th Avenue Gallery, 1531 NE 8th Ave., Ocala 6pm-10pm The opening reception for Shapot’s new exhibit will feature paintings, sculptures, prints, installations and more. Live music from YG Hypnos, food and drink. Free admission. For more info, jordanshapot.com
One Flight Up Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm
Clay Brooker Homestead Park Williston 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm Beer and wine garden, food options, shopping.
AUGUST 29 Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 5:30pm Meets on the last Monday of the month; these are first hearings held prior to subsequent final hearings at the BOCC.
AUGUST 27 & SEPTEMBER 3 Yoga in the Park Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am Snake into your cobra pose and get your downward dog going. Stretch out by the Sholom Park stage; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.
The Yellow Pony World CenterEquestrianOcala,1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala
AUGUST 27 & SEPTEMBER 3
AUGUST 27 Dog Yoga Homestead Park Williston, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 9am and 10am To help support the Williston Animal Group, Homestead Park is offering a dog yoga class to include some of the smaller rescue dogs available for adoption along with a “look book” for other dogs. Class tickets are $10. See homesteadparks.com/events for more details.
AUGUST 27
AUGUST 26
AUGUST 26 Friday Foodie Fest Lake Lillian Park, Belleview 10:30am-12pm Food trucks, live music, kids’ crafts and activities, face painting and local vendors. Held the fourth Friday of each month. For more info, see ocalamarion.com or belleviewfl.org
AUGUST 27-28 Horse Shows at the Florida Horse Park Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala All day The POP Schooling Show offers a variety of classes, including dressage and show jumping. Food vendors onsite, spectators welcome. For more info, flhorsepark.com
government
AUGUST 31
AUGUST 29 Book Release Party: Little Man Big Mouth Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd.., Ocala 6pm-8m Our own columnist, Dave Schlenker, from our sister publication, “Ocala Style” magazine, hosts a book release party for his collection, “Little Man Big Mouth: 30 Years Newspaper and Magazine Columns by an Average Dad in Cargo Shorts.” These are some of his greatest hits from his humorous writing over the past three decades. Part of the proceeds will benefit the theatre. More info from littlemanbigmouth30yearsblackrosewriting.com/humor/
AUGUST 29 Marion County Development Review Committee Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala 9am Meets weekly on Mondays. Reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, upcoming major site plans and proposed subdivision plans.
B5AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE
SEPTEMBER 2 Music in the Park Heritage Park, NW 1st Ave., Williston 6pm-9pm Free concerts take place monthly on Williston’s main street; this month features UF whiz kid Decyo. Food truck Tasty Budz features burritos. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. More info at willistonflchamber.com
AUGUST 27
AUGUST 27
The Mudds
SEPTEMBER 2
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13 Journey to My Soul: Landscape of My Mind by Kelley Batson-Howard City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm This free art exhibits showcases the work of artist Batson-Howard, who creates abstract works to bring beauty to the world. Her work is variable, often colorful and full of whimsy. Open to the public. For more info, Kbatsonart.com THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30
&nightlifemusic
Peaches & Karim The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com
AUG 27 Rock and Rose´ Dance Party NOMA Black Box Theatre, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 8pm-10pm DJ Jazmin will crank up the dance tunes and get this party started, focusing on summer hits from multiple decades. General admission tickets are $15; VIP seating for four, which includes a bottle of rose´, are $100. See reillyartscenter.com for more info.
Sandra & Alex Lekid The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
SEPTEMBER 1 Noah Hunton
THROUGH DECEMBER 9
A
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm This Florida-based visual artist’s exhibit, “Transitional Moments in Nature’s Landscape,” is hosted by the city of Ocala as part of its Art in City Spaces program. For more info, www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces THROUGH NOVEMBER 6
LOCAL
“You have to have a team that gels together and understands that this whole thing is part of a process, and every week is a new challenge,’’ he said. “So, if things don’t go our way, that does not mean we can’t turn the corner and have some success the next week.”
Harper is a big believer in turning the page and always pushing forward. He will have to keep a constant eye on the pulse or morale of the team because creating a winning culture is not easy and small setbacks can snowball quickly.
“I was always a big kid and I had to play up a league because if you weigh so much, you move to the next level,’’ he said. “So, I was always playing with guys who were like four years older than me, and I got beat up quite a bit early on.” Fortunately for Harper, he eventually was able to play against kids his age and he started to excel and have fun. Football quickly became his favorite sport. “I love being a part of a team,’’ he said. “Being in a huddle with 10 other guys with a common purpose to go against those other 11 guys across from you always appealed to me. I liked having a bunch of brothers going after it on a Friday night.” The lessons from his youth football days have translated over to his coaching philosophy.
“Really looking forward to seeing the growth of the kids and seeing them win,’’ he said. “I like winning, but the older I get, the more I like winning just to see the kids enjoy it. I ask a lot of our football kids, I have them working really hard and to see all that hard work pay off and Coach Brian Lane
Harper has had to adapt to new challenges and surroundings his whole life. His family lived in Michigan, Texas, Kentucky and New York before moving to Gainesville when he was 8 years old. The football-crazed college town became his semipermanent home. Harper played football at Buchholz High School, where his team won a state championship in 1990. Harper played football at the University of Central Florida and played semi-pro football before sustaining a major knee injury. That injury led Harper to the sidelines, where he began his coaching career at Colonial High School in Orlando. Harper later coached as an assistant at Deland High School, University High School of Orlando, Evans High School and University High School of Orange City. The next stop was his first head coaching job at Lecanto High School. reviewers and he has always enjoyed having them around his teams, he said. Harper said he has a plan for how to bring more on-field success to the Wolf Pack program. “We’re going to be in the weight room year-round, we’re going to do football-related skills and drills yearround,’’ he said. But the training extends to the classroom.“Iexpect them to keep their GPAs up,’’ he said. “I tell them all the time that if you show me your grades, I will show you your future. A lot of kids don’t understand that, and I think they should because there are plenty of resources that show if you don’t have the grades, they’re not going to get to play for the school they really want to, so we’re going to be on them year-round.”
Harper’s 39-year career as a player and coach has been a collection of memories and valuable lessons, but one thing that sticks in his mind and that he tries to pass on to his players is to enjoy the journey and soak in the memories. “Try to enjoy the process as much as possible, and that’s probably preaching to me more than it is to some of my kids that I’ve coached over the years,’’ he said. “Sometimes, I get too caught up in the results and not just enjoying the process of being with the kids and seeing them get better. I’ve learned it over time, but I don’t necessarily always show that I learned it. Life is short and we only got so much time together, so to just enjoy the process.”
Meet
Sports
WEST PORT HIGH SCHOOL GETS A NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH.
By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com Greg Harper knew from a young age that sports was a true passion and did his best to play as many as he could. Football, baseball, basketball, it did not matter to the new head coach of the West Port High School football team.
Meet Coach Greg Harper
Harper said the goal this year is to break the program’s record of five wins and possibly make the playoffs. Beyond the field, Harper is taking his own advice of taking everything in while leading and developing a group of young men.
B6 AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE
Greg Harper, the new West Port Wolf Pack head football coach, at West Port High School in Ocala on Monday, August 22, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
Brian Lane, the new head football coach for the Belleview Rattlers, on the field at Belleview High School in Belleview on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2022.
“I feel a direct responsibility for their success,’’ he said. “So, everything I do, I try to model to them. How to be resilient, how to persevere in adverse situations and how to work with people. My childhood was a little rough growing up and I had to learn a lot as a young kid. I do everything I can to make sure that they don’t have to do things like that and it’s a tremendous responsibility. It’s an honor to be their father.” Lane’s career has included stops across much of Marion County. After graduating college, Lane came back to Belleview for three years as an assistant coach. He went on to be an assistant coach at Lake Weir High School for two years before joining the Trinity Catholic High School staff as an offensive line coach from 2015 to 2020. He was the offensive line coach at Manatee High School in Bradenton under former Florida Gators wide receiver Jacquez Green in 2021. At Trinity, Lane worked under Andrew Thomas, Joe Sturdivant and John Brantley III. Lane said Thomas was very influential to his career and working for him was like a dream during their one season together. Lane has to be aware of every aspect of his football program and is excited for this new chapter in 2022. you get a new group of kids who come in and kind of change the dynamics of your program and your culture. It’s an interesting challenge to me, some people think we come to work and don’t do much but there’s so much to be done and I really love the challenge every day of coming in and getting the kids to understand we have to work together to do this. That’s what I really love about it,” he said.
BELLEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL GETS A NEW FOOTBALL COACH.
“I believe you can teach kids to be tougher because I learned how to be tougher as I went through that process of (facing) kids who were more experienced than me. Learning how to handle yourself against older kids was a learning process, and you have to persevere through all of that,” he said.
Harper’s father, a baseball and football player in high school, brought up Harper and his siblings in sports. The early years of Harper’s athletic career were not easy and was more of a trial-by-fire.
By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com T he adage of “there is no place like home” rings true for new Belleview High School football coach Brian Lane, who returns to his alma mater 19 years after graduating. The journey to get to this point has been filled highs and lows, but Lane feels it’s the perfect fit and he could not be happier to lead the program. “You think about Brett Hall being the first coach here and I feel honored to be in a position he once had. Every day I wake up and I’m excited, this is what I do and I’m in charge of this. It’s just exciting. I don’t really know how to describe it, but it’s just such an honor and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Lane said Lane was born in Del Rio, Texas and his father served in the Air Force. After his parents divorced when he was 6 years old, Lane moved with his mother to Macon, Georgia and that is when football started to become a major part of his life. His stepfather had played college football and was also in the Air Force. His grandfather, Jimmy Hammond, is a high school coaching legend in Georgia. Lane credits his grandfather as his first big inspiration and why he got into coaching football. After playing his freshman year in Georgia, Lane moved to Ocala to live with his dad and started attending workouts for Belleview football. “I got plugged into Belleview football, and I’ve been bleeding blue ever since,” Lane said. Lane did play baseball, but football became the top option and he fell in love with the sport. “There’s just so much to learn from football, it relates to life so much,’’ he said. “You have to be able to work together with people, you have to be able to communicate and you have to be able to face Adversityadversity.”isnothing new to Lane. After Lane committed to play at the University of Minnesota Crookston, his position coach moved on to a new job a week before he was supposed to be on campus. Lane would stick it out for a season before transferring to the University of Mount Union, where he played right tackle and long snapper. The team made it to the national semifinals in his sophomore season and things were looking great for his junior season. That is, until an offseason workout revealed that he had a potentially deadly health issue. Initially, Lane thought he had pulled a muscle in his back. He went to see a doctor, where it was discovered that he was suffering from acute renal failure, which is the sudden failure of the kidneys. The doctor hispainkillers,prescribedandkidneysstarted shutting down. He would spend three weeks in the ICU with the chance of not making it out alive. Lane survived, and the experience changed his outlook on “Whatlife. I learned from it is life is not on your terms. I learned a lot from it. You’re not always going to get your way. What you think might happen is not going to happen sometimes,” Lane said. He made his way back to the football field before the end of his time in college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and after meeting his wife, Amanda, the couple graduated and came to Ocala to start a life together. Lane would eventually earn his master’s degree in leadership from the American College of Education. The couple have two children, Sadie and Canon. Lane said he is thankful for their support of his career and understands how big of an impact they have on him.
fast for Lane and his team, but they are ready to get the season started. 200 miles per hour, but I am excited, and the kids are excited,’’ he said. “We put in a lot of hard work this summer; we grew a lot as a team since the spring game. Kids are excited for the opportunity to play and I’m looking forward to getting after it on Friday.”
The future eye doctors were --
B7AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4 Sudoku CrosswordJumble SHABBYALBUMAPPLYUNPAID
PUPILS
Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com Pre-season classic games are known for getting teams prepared for the regular season and exposing what areas that teams can work on before the games start to count. Friday night was one of those nights for the Trinity Catholic Celtics as they hosted the Buchholz Bobcats at Dunlap Field. The Buchholz defense got to work on the Celtics opening drive with a third-down sack from junior defensive end Kendall Jackson to force a punt. The Celtics defense responded by forcing a punt that was aided by a personal foul flag on Buchholz. Trouble started brewing on Trinity’s second drive when junior quarterback Alan Means was intercepted by Florida Gators defensive line commit Gavin Hill. The senior tipped the pass to himself and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown.TrinityCatholic head coach John Brantley III rotated Jake Engelhardt and Means at quarterback the entire game. In Engelhardt’s second series, senior running back Beau Beard gained eight yards on first down but a false start on second down killed the momentum of the drive and the Celtics were forced to punt.TheBobcats were given good field position and started their second drive on the Celtics 38yard line. Senior quarterback and Florida Gator commit Creed Whittemore found fellow senior Jacarree Kelly on a 13yard completion on the first play of the drive and hit him in stride for a 25-yard touchdown pass two plays later. Means came back out for his second drive and would throw another interception and Kelly would return it 43 yards for the Bobcats second defensive touchdown of the game. The drive was the low point of the night for Brantley’s squad as they committed three penalties and used two timeouts right before the play clock expired. Before Kelly’s touchdown, Means hit a wide-open Jewellius Lluberes for a 45-yard touchdown down the sideline, but a holding penalty negated
Buchholz’gain.Jaren Hamilton (22) reaches for a pass as Trinity Catholic’s Brice Summerall (2) and another Trinity Catholic defender try to defend him.
theWithscore.Buchholz leading 21-0, the Celtics needed a spark and received one from Beard as he would slash the Bobcats by running right up the middle of the field for a 43-yard touchdown.“Isawdaylight and I knew I was gone. You got to be determined when running the ball and I just have to keep that going and get the defense to feed off me.,” Beard said. It was the best drive of the night for the Trinity offense as they had four first downs on the drive. Buchholz would answer back at a lightning-quick pace by going 80 yards on two plays. Whittemore dropped a perfect over the shoulder pass to senior Jaren Hamilton as he was in stride to connect for a 75-yard touchdown. “Offensively, we have fast guys all around me and it’s easy to score quick. I think we can get better at extending our drives and having a more balanced drive, but you can never complain about a touchdown.,” Whittemore said. Means would come back out for a third drive and threw his third interception of the night to senior Colin Nechodom after converting a couple of first downs. The Celtics defense continued to compete and force another punt to give their offense one more drive to gain some confidence heading into the season opener next Friday. Engelhardt completed passes to Mekai Griffin and Lluberes to get a first down, but the night would end on a sack by Thomas Weinhardt. The Bobcat’s defense was the difference as they had three interceptions and two sacks in the 28-7 win. The varsity squads for the two schools only played one half to allow the junior varsity teams a chance to play a half. Buchholz head coach Mark Whittemore was pleased with the intensity and effort of his team in the pre-season classic. “We were crisp, and we were playing fast. I wanted us to show up and play fast, we were ready to play, and the juices were flowing with all that intensity.,” he said.There was good and bad from the Celtics on the night. The bad was nine penalties and three turnovers but the potential flashed at times as the offense had 12 first downs and forced two punts on defense. They were without two of their starting offensive lineman, Miami Hurricanes commit Tommy Kinsler and Dominic Johnson. Despite the missing pieces, Brantley was not going to use excuses to explain the result. “You have to look at the positives. We got some work to do but you have to give Buchholz credit, there a good football team.,” Brantley said. Brantley was optimistic about his team and is looking forward to the season opener and continuing to improve. “Both teams, a lot of it was just being a little lazy combined with the heat, but those (mistakes) can be corrected. That’s the good thing, I saw some good things and I saw some things that we definitely need to touch on.
Trinity Catholic’s Jamarkus Starkes (7) looks for extra yardage as he is surrounded by Buchholz defenders.
Buchholz defeats Trinity Catholic in preseason game
Buchholz JV players celebrate with Jaren Hamilton (22) as he scores a touchdown. Buchholz’ Jacarree Kelly (9) pushes off on the helmet of Trinity Catholic’s Devontae Grant (8) for a large
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 12-5 p.m. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. | AppletonMuseum.org352-291-4455 Thursday, September 15, 6 p.m. the
“Jalyn is our captain and a team leader,” coach Marshall said. “I expect her to win that award again, but we have to get other people involved because you can’t expect her to take 39 swings every match. Our middle had a good night, but our outside hitters have to get kills and they did not do thatTrinitytonight.”Catholic will regroup and prepare for Thursday night’s home match against Vanguard. “We scheduled this game for a reason to find out where we are,” coach Reavis said. “We’re just a little further away than we had hoped and it’s a learning experience. I told the girls to walk out of the locker room with your head held high, look people in the eyes and own this. We’ll work on some things in practice and get ready to play a good Vanguard team
The close loss seemed to deflate Trinity Catholic, while Santa Fe rode the momentum and jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the third and final set. Trinity Catholic tried to rally as senior Kiana Laborde had three of her team-high 10 kills and Ameila Fitzpatrick chipped in with several of her 14 assists to pull the Celtics within 20-16. Santa Fe called a time out and reestablished its dominance at the net as Stout and Sanjurjo took turns blasting spikes past the Trinity Catholic defenders.Appropriately enough, it was the left-handed Stout, who was the 2021 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Volleyball, which is the state’s Player of the Year award across all classifications, who drilled a vicious cross-court spike on match point to seal the win for the Raiders.
B8 AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE
For Trinity Catholic, which lost in the Class 3A state semifinals last year, and won state titles in 2018 and 2020, it was a sobering way to start the season. “We have more things to learn obviously,” coach Reavis said. “We’re not going to make excuses or anything like that, but that’s a very good team we played. Santa Fe is always very competitive and we usually do a good job of competing with them, but we didn’t do that tonight.” Santa Fe came out firing on all cylinders to start the match as senior hitter Jalyn Stout, a Coastal Carolina commit, had four of her match-high 21 kills as the Raiders stormed out to a commanding 16-8 lead.
FLAMENCOMAHARAJAHTRIO In Concert at
Trinity Catholic falls to Santa Fe in volleyball
Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store
Trinity Catholic couldn’t string any points together against the athletic Santa Fe front line and the Raiders eased to the 25-15 win in the first set. The second set was close throughout as Trinity Catholic led 8-4 and 17-16 before Santa Fe rallied behind the strong net play of 6-foot 2 junior middle hitter Joselynn Sanjurjo, who had four of her 11 kills as the Raiders pulled away for the 25-22 win.
For Tuesday night’s season opener, Trinity Catholic hosted Santa Fe, the defending FHSAA Class 4A state champions. Santa Fe showed why there is a definite possibility the talented Raiders could earn back-to-back championshipsstateafter they swept past the Celtics by scores of 25-15, 25-22 and itwas“Our25-18.serve-receivenotwhereweneedtobetowinastate championship,” said fifthyear Santa Fe coach Eric Marshall. “We have all but two girls back from last year and our goal is to win the state championship again 100 percent.”
season opener
Right: Santa Fe High School Anisa Dorlouis (6) watches as the ball gets by as Santa Fe travels to Trinity Catholic in Ocala, Florida on Tuesday August 23, 2022. [Alan Youngblood/ Special to Ocala Gazette] forscheduled“Wethisgameareasontofindoutwhereweare.”
Jeff Reavis Trinity Catholic coach
Right: Santa Fe High School Anna Carlisle (12) spikes the ball on Trinity Catholic middle hitter Hope Willis (6) and Trinity Catholic Kiana LaBorde (13). Photos by: Alan Youngblood/ Special to Ocala Gazette
Above: Trinity Catholic head coach Jeff Reavis coaches during a time out as Santa Fe travels to Trinity Catholic in Ocala on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
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Trinity Catholic defensive specialist Cole Crews (14) returns the ball. [Alan Youngblood/Special to Ocala Gazette]
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette P laying a tough regular season schedule to determine his team’s strengths and weaknesses is something that veteran Trinity Catholic volleyball coach Jeff Reavis believes in.
B9AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE VISITOCALAGAZETTE.COM/EVENTSOUREVENTSCALENDARONLINE
