Ocala Gazette | December 9 - December 15, 2022

Marciano files to run for Mayor

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

Apolitical newcomer is hoping to unseat a longtime incumbent for mayor of Ocala in next year’s election.

Ben Marciano, owner of Zone Health and Fitness, has formally filed paperwork to run against Mayor Kent Guinn, according to a press release issued Friday by Marciano’s campaign.

Marciano said his campaign platform will focus on three issues: public safety, the mental and physical health of citizens and strategic growth.

“I am confident with my business experience, my community heart, and get-it-done attitude, I will successfully serve our whole community – preparing for appropriate growth, while preserving the safety and spirit

Santa on the Square

Federal prosecutors charge State Rep. Harding

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Federal prosecutors have charged Marion County’s State Rep. Joe Harding with scheming “to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses” in order to obtain money from the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Harding, an Ocala Republican recently elected to his second term representing District 24, was released Wednesday on a $10,000 bond.

According to a grand jury’s indictment, Harding applied for EIDL for two entities, The Vak Shack, Inc., an agricultural supply business in Williston, and Harding Farms,

LLC., a 46-acre horse and cattle facility in Williston.

The indictment alleges that Harding falsely represented the number of employees and gross revenues for both entities and claimed they were active in 2019 and 2020 when they were not, and that Harding supported the false claims with “fraudulently created bank statements.”

Prosecutors allege that the business entities had been dormant from May 2017 through Dec. 16, 2020 and therefore had no gross revenues for the 12 months prior to the COVID-19 disaster, a necessary element of qualifying for the EIDL.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a criminal conviction as well as forfeiture of any property, real and personal, derived from the proceeds of the loan transaction.

Court filings show that Harding is represented by Peggy-Anne O’Connor, of Turner, O’Connor, Kozlowski P.L. in Gainesville.

Harding issued a media release Wednesday afternoon indicating that he could not answer questions about the legal proceedings on the advice of his attorney.

“Today, I pleaded not guilty to charges that state I improperly obtained and used an EIDL loan issued by the Small Business Administration. I want the public and my constituents to know that I fully repaid the loan and cooperated with investigators as requested,” Harding said through the release.

“In the meantime, I will continue to work hard for the people of House District 24. Thank you, and may God bless you.”

Twins in government

Forest High School Student Government Association members work toward statewide change

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Jack and Ryan Gorman, Forest High School seniors, spent their childhood days after school watching their mother volunteer at local homeless shelters.

Now, years later, the 17-yearold twins have used their student government platforms at the district and state level to bring awareness and support for homeless students across Florida.

“Florida has the third-

highest homeless population in the United States,” said Jack.

“One of the main targets that I have with this project is to make sure that we’re reaching out to our student homeless population to sort of break the cycle of chronic homelessness and better equip our peers for success in the future.”

As state president of the Florida Association of Student Councils (FASC), Jack chose the theme “Aid to Homeless Communities” for the project that every district in Florida will work in 2022-23. Jack also serves as the president for the

FHS Class of 2023.

The project encourages each district to host food and clothing drives, volunteer at local shelters and put together care packages to “provide aid to low-income and homeless communities to provide equal opportunities to all students.”

FASC splits Florida into six districts made up of student government chapters across the state. Jack’s right-hand man, his brother Ryan, serves as the co-vice president for District 2 and is working to implement

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The City of Ocala is hosting Mr. & Mrs. Santa on the downtown square every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m., Dec. 6-15.

All parents are invited to bring

cameras to capture the holiday magic. For more information, visit www. ocalafl.org/holidays or call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.

Left: Santa Claus holds Aubrey Hankins, 7 weeks, as Mrs. Claus and her parents, Carrissa and Cody Hankins look on on the first night of Santa On The Square on the Ocala Downtown Square in Ocala on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022

Below: Sophia Rodriguez, 6 months, begins to cry as she visits with Santa.

Photos by Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette

File photo: Rep. Joe Harding on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Marciano files to run

Continued from page A1

of our hometown,” said Marciano, a married father of three, in the release.

Guinn, who was first elected mayor in December 2011 after serving 12 years on city council, has publicly announced his intentions to run for a seventh two-year term. In 2021, he defeated Manal Fakhoury, collecting nearly 66% of the ballots cast.

The mayor’s position is nonpartisan and largely ceremonial with a nominal pay of $550 a month. The mayor has no vote on the Ocala City Council but does have veto power.

However, the position comes with significant power in the city. Because of the unique structure of Ocala’s government, the mayor has

sole oversight of the Ocala Police Department.

Marciano’s early career as a health trainer eventually led him to the executive director position of the Frank DeLuca YMCA Family Center, which under his leadership, became one of the top YMCAs in the country. He opened Zone Health in 2014, and it now has two locations in the Ocala area with dozens of employees.

Marciano has served as a board member of The Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Marion County, the Greg Graham Legacy foundation and the Community Foundation, and has been involved with several other organizations including Arnette House, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection and the Pearl Project.

He received the Ocala Rotary Club’s Community Service Award for 2020-21 and chaired the American Heart Association local heart walk in 2019.

The New York City native has an associate degree in criminal justice from Central Florida College. Marciano and his wife, Danielle, and their children attend Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.

Marciano, who formed an exploratory committee over the summer, said the support for his run has been very strong.

“Let’s make sure we keep Ocala a safe and healthy community for generations to come.” – Marciano.

Marciano did not immediately respond to a voice mail message left Friday, and a phone call to Guinn was unanswered as well.

County squashes controversial crematorium plans

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By Morgan Ryan morgan@ocalagazette.com

To the relief of residents of an Ocala neighborhood, Marion County commissioners this week put an end to a funeral home’s plans to build a crematory near their homes.

After hearing from residents, environmental experts and health professionals, the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to deny Ocala Memorial Gardens Inc.’s request for a permit to build the crematory on a 20.41-acre lot of open land at Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memory Gardens, 5740 S Pine Ave.

Residents have battled the proposal since July when Ocala Memorial Gardens Inc. first asked the county’s Planning & Zoning Commission for permission to construct the crematory in the heart of their community. After numerous delays, the planning commission recommended that the Board of County Commissioners deny the request.

Opponents have cited concerns for their health and property values as well as environmental pollution largely because the proposed crematory would be built only 500

feet from the nearest home.

They also raised questions about Service Corp. International, company that would build the crematory. One of the largest funeral and cremation companies in the United States, SCI has faced several lawsuits for misleading and illegal business practices, which residents said they feared the company would bring to their neighborhood.

SCI representative Kasey Feltner countered the residents’ health concerns by telling the board there is no proof that the crematories they build emit harmful pollutants in the air and that SCI’s technology guarantees that nearby residents will not be disturbed by any smoke, noises or smells.

“Fears and concerns do not amount to evidence,” said Feltner.

Attorney Jimmy Gooding, representing another opponent, noted that SCI was largely selfpoliced; the Florida government has little to no standards for testing the health and environmental impacts near a crematory.

“We don’t know how much these things generate because we don’t test for it,” said Gooding. “The types of inspections we do aren’t enough to safeguard public health.”

Citizens also expressed concerns for the property value of their

homes. Rosemarie Mareno-Jones, a neighborhood resident and real estate agent, said it has been shown that property values plummet when a crematory is built nearby. She cited a 2017 study done by the National Association of Realtors that listed crematoriums as one of the top 10 facilities that impact property values, alongside jails, landfills and train stations.

“I can promise that if I listed a piece of property within two miles of a crematorium, the buyer pool is gonna go right in the ground,” Mareno-Jones said.

She was accompanied by eight of her neighbors, including two health professionals, each of whom presented detailed research supporting their opposition to the crematory.

Commissioner Kathy Bryant motioned for denial, stating that residents of that neighborhood did not choose to be subjected to the operation of a crematorium.

“The people who built their homes there knew the cemetery was there, but you’re talking about a totally different operation when you go into a crematorium,” she said. “I have been able to find evidence that shows that it does decrease property values.”

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Neighbors cited adverse impacts to health and property values in opposing the proposal.

File photo: Commissioners Jeff Gold, left, and Kathy Bryant, right, listen 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.

Home for Christmas

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Casie Park never thought she’d have to rely on outside help.

The medical assistant and mother of four (and foster mom to one more) defied the odds to keep her family together.

Park’s imperative had been, and still is, to provide stability and a sense of presence for her children that she didn’t experience growing up.

“After my oldest son was born 24 years ago, I had to basically let him live with another family,” she said. “It was then that I made a vow that if I ever had more kids, my goal was that I would raise them. Nobody else will. I will do everything in my power to raise my kids, and I’ve stood my ground.”

Last month, Ocala-based nonprofit Community With A Heart (CWAH) came through for Park with a grant of $734 to help Park get her car back on the road.

Park’s four biological kids at home range in age between 9 and adulthood with Dylan, the oldest at 18; Nathan, 16; Jadyn, 13; and Miley, 9. She took in Kyana, her son’s 18-yearold girlfriend, when her guardian, whom she considered her mom, died of cancer in September.

The family gets along well, Park said. The older children work and pitch in and help with driving the younger kids to school.

“Every year I do a ‘Polar Express’ night,” Park shared. “No matter what we’ve been through, we do it every year. For the next one coming up on the 20th, my mom will be here, my best friend. We’re going to have hot chocolate and popcorn, we’re going to make the cookies. We’re going to go to the square and take pictures in front of the tree before we watch the movie ‘Polar Express’ and then we’re going to try to fit in another movie if we can.”

The working mother of three teenagers and a 9-year-old daughter with autism has endured a long, obstacle-ridden, haul to get to a place of relative calm, but she is still worried about what lies ahead.

Four years ago, Park was hit with the sudden death of her younger brother, a sibling she regarded as her best friend. After that, she went to “a dark place” and a cascade of problems followed.

She had been working at Darrell’s Diner at the time. The owner, Darrell Warden, helped her with the expenses, but she had to take out a loan.

“I had a head-on collision in my new car, which had been very reliable, and they were supposed to fix it, and time and time again, we were sending it back to the mechanic,” she recalled. “But in the end, with the funeral cost and everything putting me in debt, we had lost everything.”

Amid rising property values, Park’s landlord decided to sell her home and she had nowhere to go. While she had some supportive loved ones, a home for a mother and five children is hard to come by even under relatively normal circumstances.

Park eventually received housing assistance.

“I became a high-priority case because I had the kids, and we couldn’t really stay in a hotel because my daughter has autism and meltdowns,” said the 39-year-old mom who also goes by the names Casaundra and KC.

But the housing provided to the Park family would soon become unlivable.

Employees at the Ocala Housing Authority connected Park with Interfaith Emergency Services, a faith-based nonprofit that helps Marion County residents in need.

Gloria Cribben, the engagement coordinator at Interfaith, met Park in May of 2022.

Cribben visited her Ocklawaha mobile home at the invitation of Brittian Schulz, a Marion

On visiting Park, Cribben encountered a home with rats that had chewed their way into the kitchen from the roof. Roaches ran rampant and a dead rat was found in one child’s clothes hamper. Some electrical outlets were sparking and several bedroom windows were nailed shut, preventing exit in case of a fire.

She reached out to CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, one of Interfaith’s partner agencies, to work with Park. On learning that she had prior medical assistant experience, they polished her resume and helped her improve her interview skills, and she was able to land a job as a medical assistant.

Cribben, Schulz and others worked on finding the Park family another home.

“God blessed us with a kindhearted landlady willing to accept below market value for her property because she was touched by Casie’s story,” Cribben said, adding that the Park family moved into their new home this past August.

The home on Northwest 3rd Street has five bedrooms, so now the older kids no longer need to share a bedroom, some for the first time in their lives. They received furniture from the Interfaith Thrift Store, but they are still in need of household items.

The home is a long way from her sons’ school, Lake Weir High School, and Park has to drive a long way from northwest Ocala in a car that still has severe issues.

“I fought really hard to get this far, and I was working two jobs,” Park said. “I’m down to one right now, but it’s only three days a week, so I’m still hunting for a better position with at least five days a week. …Right now, it’s enough to pay the bills, but nothing extra. This will be our first Christmas here, so our tree is very small, but we’re thankful to have one regardless.”

What would Park do if she could land that full-time job?

“I would like to finish furnishing our house a little more. We’ve been trying to get a couch and some more pots and pans …. The older kids asked for gift cards for clothes; the girls asked for lotions and bath gel sets and candles. My youngest daughter asked for one of the gaming chairs because she likes the fact that it rocks back and forth,” she said.

Interfaith Emergency Services CEO Karla Grimsley-Greenway said Park had to leave a lot of her things behind because of the condition of her former home.

“Casie doesn’t drink or do drugs. She’s been working hard and could use some more help,” she said.

Grimsley-Greenway praised Community With A Heart for helping get Park back on the road.

“While we’d been helping Casie from the start, they’ve helped punctuate our efforts — they’ve been the period at the end of this chapter,” she said.

Interfaith is still accepting donations on behalf of the Park family. Call (352) 629-8868 to make a donation or provide other means of assistance.

Park expressed gratitude to GrimsleyGreenway, Cribben and Paul Fletcher at the Housing Authority, in addition to her mom, Tina Anderson, and her best friend, Jill Hall; and, of course, her children.

“My No. 1 supporters are my kids,” Park said.

“After my oldest son was born 24 years ago, I had to basically let him live with another family. It was then that I made a vow that if I ever had more kids, my goal was that I would raise them. Nobody else will. I will do everything in my power to raise my kids, and I’ve stood my ground.”

Casie Park

Community With A Heart

Now in its 36th year, CWAH has collected more than $1.8 million, of which $31,531.80 was raised during the 2021-2022 campaign. All of the donations go directly to help individuals and families living in Marion County.

“This program is not a handout, but a hand-up. CWAH assists individuals and families from all walks of life. We don’t want people who used to help others or never needed help before to feel embarrassed or ashamed because they now need assistance to get back on track. Life happens, and this program exists to help people in our community that need a little help,” said board chair Monica Bryant, the Family Violence Prevention Coordinator with the Marion County Children’s Alliance.

“CWAH is a remedy for the gaps that our local nonprofits can’t fill. All of the assistance goes for those needs that are outside of the normal services available in our community,” said Karla Grimsley-Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, one of the county’s largest social services agencies, who serves on the CWAH board. “For the families that receive assistance, it’s often their only hope.”

Those who are seeking assistance must apply through one of the agencies on the board, present recent documentation of the need and demonstrate self-sustainability. The CWAH board members meet once a week during the campaign to review applications that have been vetted by board members. The board member must make a home visit and the applicant must show some certification of need, such as two estimates from a certified car repair shop, if they are requesting help to get their car fixed.

“The board reviews case by case and votes on who receives support. It has to be a majority vote,” Bryant said. “And no money goes to the person; it goes to the landlord, or the car repair shop, or whatever.”

There is a cap of assistance at $1,200 and approved applicants may not apply again for five years.

How to help CWAH:

To support the Community With A Heart campaign, make a donation online at ocalafoundation.org/community-foundation-funds/ community-with-a-heart/ or mail a check to CWAH Fund, P.O. Box 1777, Ocala, FL 34478. Donations are tax deductible and go directly to help residents in Marion County.

How to apply for CWAH assistance:

To seek help from Community With a Heart, contact one of the following agencies for a referral to the program to receive assistance: Marion County Children’s Alliance, Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County School Social Services, Salvation Army Ocala/Marion County, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida Inc., Ocala Housing Authority, Isaiah Foundation, Central Florida Community Action Agency, Marion County Community Services, Habitat for Humanity and Cleve Butler and James Jackson, who are Community-at- Large members.

Ongoing needs for CWAH:

Marion County Children’s Alliance: Funds for emergency shelter in motel/hotel for victims and survivors of domestic violence, gas cards and new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for youth 12 to 18 years old. (352) 438-5993.

• Brother’s Keeper: Gas cards, bus passes, non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys for children ages 1-12. (352) 622-3846.

Salvation Army Ocala/Marion County: Towels, twin-size sheets, blankets, bus passes and canned food items. (352) 732-8326.

• Interfaith Emergency Services: Towels, gloves, bus passes, new underwear and non-perishable food items (352) 629-8868.

County employee.

The Interfaith coordinator discovered that Park had moved from homelessness to the mobile home amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the living conditions were definitely substandard,” she wrote in an Interfaith newsletter, “but we were totally unprepared for the actual situation.”

With the help of Community With A Heart and Interfaith Emergency Services, Casie Park and her family have a place to call home this Christmas. Donations are still needed to help them get further situated.

Casie Park, second from right, poses with four of her five children, from left, Nate Powers, 16, Miley Park, 9, Kyanna Tryon, 18 and Dylan Ramsdell, 18, at their home on Northwest 3rd Street in Ocala on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Casie Park poses by her 2007 Jeep Liberty at her home on Northwest 3rd Street in Ocala on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Major development being considered on county road 318

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

The new owner of a 40-plus acre tract of land within Marion County’s critical Farmland Preservation Area is seeking a zoning change to amend an already existing but long dormant Planned Unit Development on the rural northwest Marion County property.

Members of the county’s Planning & Zoning Commission on Nov. 28 approved the amendment request by New Times Development, LLC., for the PUD at 7562 W. County Road 318, near the Interstate 75 interchange.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners will vote on the request Dec. 20. If approved, the project will be the third development allowed in the last night months along the narrow two-lane corridor that lies within the FPA and outside the county’s Urban Growth Boundary.

The area is also located within a Secondary Springs Protection Area.

The New Times property was initially approved as the Irvine Commercial Center PUD in 2012, but it has been idle since then. The land was purchased by Dr. Pedro Hernandez of Pembroke Pines for $5 million in March, according to county records.

Conceptual plans submitted to the county by Tillman and Associates Engineering, LLC. in October on behalf of New Times call for a hotel, two restaurants, a gas station, and 37,400 square feet of retail space on nearly 19 acres of commercial development, while the apartment buildings will be located on 22.57 acres of land, with more than 15 acres of open space featuring a clubhouse, pool, playground, and dog park.

The apartments will be spread out amongst a total of 11 buildings.

The two previous approvals from the county commission--Sunny Oaks and WEC Jockey Club PUDs–in March and

June respectively, came despite strenuous objections from dozens of residents and homeowners during heated and hourslong public meetings.

Most who voiced their opposition said approving the projects would pave the way for other developers to swoop in and demand a green light for similar projects, leading to the destruction of the FPA and the rural character of the area.

New Times purchased the tract soon after Sunny Oaks was approved.

“It blows my mind,” said Jacki Robinson who lives across from the WEC Jockey Club on CR 318 and has lived in the sparsely populated hamlet since 1974. “County commissioners are now further opening the floodgates to ruin this section of the FPA. How can they even consider these proposals until they have a traffic plan in place?”

Robinson said a required sign notifying the public of the planning and zoning meeting on the New Times PUD went up just a few days before the hearing took place and was so small most passersby didn’t notice it.

“The county says it mailed notices to homeowners living within 300 feet of the proposed development; well, there are no homeowners within 300 feet of that property,” said Robinson. “I do think it’s important that surrounding neighbors be informed about what is about to happen since it will have an impact on all of us.”

On March 1, the county commissioners approved a rezoning request by B. Smith Hialeah, LLC. for the 453-acre Sunny Oaks Regional Activity Center PUD on CR 318, just east of Interstate 75 and across from the Petro Travel Center. Sunny Oaks was also first approved as a PUD in 2012 and the rezoning permits industrial and commercial uses.

The project will include warehouse space totaling 4 million square feet on 427 acres, a fire station on three acres, five acres for a water treatment plant and 28 acres for commercial development.

Meanwhile, in a 3-2 vote on June 21, the BOCC approved the 1,029-acre World Equestrian Center Jockey Club PUD, also on CR 318 but west of I-75, which will entail nearly 100 site-built homes, a 100-site RV park, stadiums with a total of 9,000 seats, polo fields, a convenience store with a gas station and 120,000 square feet of commercial space.

The WEC Jockey Club is owned by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC., owned by billionaire long-distance trucking magnates Larry and Mary Roberts of Ocala. The Roberts are the developers of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) Ocala.

Marion County created the 193,000-acre FPA in 2005 to provide a buffer for farmland against increasing growth and urban spawl, but it does not prevent development. Instead, decisions on proposed projects are left to county commissioners.

The county’s approval of the Sunny Oaks and WEC Jockey Club PUDs have been challenged in lawsuits filed by attorney Ralf Brookes on behalf of nearby residents and landowners as well as Save Our Rural Areas (SORA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of rural lands. Robinson and her husband, Michael, are part of the WEC Jockey Club litigation.

As for the New Times development, Jerome Feaster, a founding member of SORA, said there are multiple negative issues with the proposal. It has no Master Plan and no environmental or traffic studies have taken place, he said.

“It’s awful, it has wastewater, traffic and safety issues,” said Feaster. “We all know that the I-75 intersection is antiquated.

“The community at large needs to be informed of this proposal,” he added. “It’s a big impact project that people need to know about, not just those who live nearby.”

A Formal Administrative Hearing on the WEC Jockey Club, challenging amendments that were made to the County’s Comprehensive Plan to

accommodate the development, will take place at 9 a.m. Jan. 12-13 in Marion County. The hearing was originally scheduled for early October.

Court dates for the Marion County lawsuits, filed in April and July, respectively, have not been scheduled, as of press time.

Sunny Oaks and the WEC Jockey Club are both currently idle, according to the county. The existing PUD on the New Times property expires in 2025 and if the proposed PUD is approved, the existing one will become voided by way of a condition of approval. If not given the green light, the property will revert to its original zoning at that time, according to the county.

County staff recommended approval of the rezoning request with conditions, citing traffic along CR 318 as a major concern due to the recent approvals and the potential for development, along with the need for centralized water and sewer, among others.

A traffic study, the county noted, will be required. It is anticipated that the wastewater treatment facility at Sunny Oaks will service the area.

“They want to piggyback on Sunny Oaks,” said Robinson. “Sunny Oaks is in litigation, so how can they piggyback on something that may not happen at all?”

Feaster, meanwhile, said he recently found a presentation he gave some 15 years ago as a fierce proponent of conservation and protection of rural lands in the area. In his talk, he quoted a local teenager who voiced his opposition to urban sprawl in the FPA.

“He said, ‘Once you do it, you can’t undo it’,” said Feaster. “And here we are talking about it 15 years later and nothing has happened until now.

“It’s a real battle,’’ he said. “New Times just came out of the blue. We are jumping on it to bring it to the attention of the community and commissioners.”

Marion County Florida - Interactive Map

Justices Weigh Police ‘Marsy’s Law’ Case

By Dara Kam Florida News Service

In a case that could upend public access to information about policing, the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about whether the identities of law-enforcement officers are shielded by a 2018 constitutional amendment designed to bolster crime victims’ rights.

An appeals court in April sided with two Tallahassee police officers who invoked the “Marsy’s Law” constitutional amendment to prevent their names from being released after use-of-force shooting incidents in which they were threatened. The Florida Police Benevolent Association, a union representing the officers, argued that they were victims.

But the city of Tallahassee and news organizations asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, arguing in part that Marsy’s Law conflicts with a decades-old governmentin-the-sunshine amendment that enshrined in the Florida Constitution some of the nation’s broadest public-records laws.

Locally, Marion County Sheriff’s officers have been customarily asking for protection under Marsy’s law. Most recently, six detention officers at the Marion County Sheriff’s jail that were involved in the death of inmate and asked their identities be protected under Marsy’s law despite the fact that they were uninjured. The inmate who was mentally ill was tasered and pepper sprayed following his refusal to come out of his cell,

and died.

Marsy’s Law defines a victim as a “person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as a result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime or threat or against whom the crime or delinquent act is committed.”

Phil Padovano, an attorney who represents the city, told Supreme Court justices that the officers’ identities should not be shielded from the public because they were not acting as individual “persons” when the incidents occurred.

“An on-duty officer who uses force against a suspect is not acting as an individual, but rather as an agent of the government,” Padovano, a former appellate judge, said. “They were not victims because they were not persons by any fair reading of Marsy’s Law.”

But Justice John Couriel pressed Padovano on the issue.

“Let’s say I grant you that he’s not acting on his own capacity. But does he cease to be a person, though?” Couriel asked. “For example, am I not a person at the moment because I’m wearing this robe?”

The officers are “human beings,” Padovano acknowledged.

“But I think a better interpretation of the term person in the context of this law is an individual. They were not acting as individuals. They were acting as agents of the government. They were, in fact, the government on that day, when they went out there with their weapons, the power to arrest people, the power to detain people, the power to

use deadly force against people, if necessary,” he said.

But Couriel appeared unconvinced.

“Isn’t your much stronger argument that, while this person is a person, the fact that he has his name on his lapel tells us something?” the justice said. “If I’m a person and I’ve disclosed my identity, haven’t I waived my rights?”

“I don’t think that’s a point anybody made in this case, but I think I would say that’s correct,” Padovano replied.

Luke Newman, who represents the union and the Tallahassee officers identified as “John Doe 1” and “John Doe 2.” argued that the law applies to all crime victims, including the officers who were threatened by people they ended up fatally shooting.

“The language says that it should apply to every victim,” Newman said, adding that the amendment doesn’t include a “carve-out” for law enforcement. “This is a request for an afterthe-fact, ad hoc exception.”

Mark Caramanica, who represents the news organizations, told the justices a constitutional conflict exists between the policies in Marsy’s Law and the state’s open-records law.

The court “needs to … come down with a ruling that gives effect to both,” Caramanica argued.

“And our position here is any ruling that really sort of cuts to the core of the true public accountability type of information that is at issue here --- we’ve cited a wealth of case law that recognizes the

importance of being able to hold government and police action accountable --- that needs to be balanced against the Marsy’s Law provisions, which … are designed to provide rights during the course of a criminal proceeding,” he said.

Couriel also questioned Newman about the “waiver” issue.

“Being anonymous seems anathema to policing as we understand it in a free, democratic republic,” Couriel said. “Help me understand how being a police officer doesn’t waive this claim of full anonymity.”

“There’s been this kind of, like, undercurrent in this case throughout that the finding for my clients John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 is kind of authorizing this KGBstyle secret police force,” Newman said. “We’re not advocating for a secret police force. I think that is an unfair characterization.”

Questions from Justice Jamie Grosshans appeared to test just how far the law could reach.

“So, under your reasoning, every single police report that gets filed from this point on would exclude a victim’s name out?” she asked.

“If the victim requested, yes,” Newman said.

The case has drawn the attention of several Florida sheriffs, who are split on whether the law should apply to their officers. Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri filed friend-of-the-court briefs siding with the city.

“VSO (the Volusia Sheriff’s Office) is interested in this appeal as it believes that the citizens

should know the names of deputies who are involved in the use of deadly force while carrying out their official duties,” a motion filed by Chitwood said.

But the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office took the opposite stance, in part citing an increase last year in law-enforcement officers being killed in the line of duty.

“Thus, the PBSO (Palm Beach sheriff’s office) has an interest in ensuring that a law expressly designed to preserve the safety of crime victims equally applies to law enforcement officers who are victims of a crime and, therefore, limit at least one source of peril to which law enforcement officers may be exposed,” the motion said.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesday morning’s arguments, Newman said it was “demeaning” and degrading to argue that police officers aren’t persons.

But Padovano warned that the court’s decision could set a dangerous precedent. The Supreme Court often takes months to decide cases.

“One of the biggest fears I have about this case is that, depending on how it comes out, we could have a situation in which police encounters essentially escape media attention,” he said. “Transparency helps their cause. If they can say, ‘We did this and here’s why,’ they’re better off than they are saying, ‘This happened over here and I am not going to tell you who it was.’”

--- Ocala Gazette staff contributed to this report.

All

PROBATE DIVISION File No. 45-2022-CP-2818 Division

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL

Probate Division File No. 22 CP 002793 AX

IN RE: ESTATE OF Christopher George Aylsworth, a/k/a Christopher G. Aylsworth Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Christopher George Aylsworth, deceased, whose date of death was 10/27/2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 1030, Ocala, FL 34478. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent's estate of whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (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 the decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is 12/09/2022.

James A. Pickens Florida Bar No. 91591

Kinsey Vincent Pyle PL 150 S Palmetto Avenue, Ste 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Telephone: (386) 252-1561 Facsimile: (386) 254-8157

Attorney for Personal Representative e-filing@kvplaw.com OR Primary E-mail: jp@kvplaw.com Secondary E-mail: anne.dahms@kvplaw. com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

IN RE: ESTATE OF NANCY C. FUTCH, Deceased.

CASE NO.: 2022-CP-002780

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

(Summary Administration)

The administration of the estate of NANCY C. FUTCH, deceased, whose date of death was October 10, 2022; is pending in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2022-CP-002780; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. An Order of Summary Administration was entered on November 28, 2022, and the name and address of the person assigned control of the asset is DAPHNE C. BALDWIN, 13200 W. Newberry Road, Apt. GG188, Newberry, Florida 32669, the daughter of the decedent, and her attorney is R. William Futch, R. William Futch, P.A., 2201 S.E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202, Ocala, Florida 34471.

The total value of the estate is less than $5,100.00.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS DECEMBER 9, 2022.

Attorney for Petitioner: R. WILLIAM FUTCH Florida Bar No.: 0319856

R. WILLIAM FUTCH, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email Address: bill@futchlaw.net

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

IN RE: ESTATE OF LIONELL MEREDITH LOCKHART, Deceased.

FILE NO.: 2022-CP-002625

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of LIONELL M. LOCKHART, deceased, whose date of death was September 24, 2022; is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2022-CP-002625; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons, who have claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this Note, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS DECEMBER 9, 2022.

Personal Representative: JENNIFER G. LOCKHART 6211 S.E. 126th Street, Belleview, FL 34420

Attorneys for Personal Representative: R. WILLIAM FUTCH Florida Bar No.: 0319856

DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 R. WILLIAM FUTCH, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email Address: bill@futchlaw.net

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF KENNETH EMERSON ADAMS, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2022-CP-2677

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.

If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: October 25, 2022 The date of first publication of this Notice is December 2, 2022.

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300

Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: BARBARA T. BRADY 513 N. Boston Avenue Deland, FL 32724

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of New World Research and Development, in the County of MARION, located at 222 SE Wenona Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 reg istered said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida on November 11, 2022. Dated at Ocala, Marion County, Florida, this 16th day of September 2022.

Owner's name: Richard Beasley, New World Research and Development.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of New World Research and Development, in the County of MARION, located at 222 SE Wenona Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 reg istered said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida on November 11, 2022. Dated at Ocala, Marion County, Florida, this 16th day of September 2022.

Owner's name: Richard Beasley, New World Research and Development.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JOAN YVONNE WHITE, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2742

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.

If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: October 20, 2022 The date of first publication of this Notice is December 2, 2022.

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300

Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: JOHN GALLAGHER, III 13950 N.E. 150th Avenue Fort McCoy, FL 32134

Public Notice

WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is December 9, 2022

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Personal Representative: Richard I. Withers, Esq. Fla Bar No: 39692 WITHERS HARVEY, P.A. 1120 NW 8th Ave Gainesville, FL 32601

Phone: (352) 727-4404 Email: richard@withersharvey.com

Suzan J. Baker 13801 SW 113th Ln Dunnellon, FL 34432

In the Circuit Court, In and for Marion County, Florida

Julie Marie Aylsworth Personal Representative

Public

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA

The administration of the estate of Steve Daniel Roan, deceased, whose date of death was November 12, 2021, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the petitioner and the petitioner’s attorney are set forth below.

creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must

Student government

the Continued from page A1

vision to help the homeless on a local scale here in Marion County.

“We’re having a gala coming up where we’re going to raise money for homelessness,” said Ryan. “We also worked with JROTC to raise money through a can drive this year for the holiday season.”

The homeless benefit gala will take place at Church at the Springs in Ocala and will feature a silent auction and available resources for the homeless in partnership with local organizations, Ryan said.

Collin Scroggie, a junior at FHS, serves alongside Ryan as co-vice president for FASC District 2. The three students spoke at a Marion County School Board meeting in May, where Scroggie discussed the long but rewarding process of campaigning for the position of vice president.

“Throughout our journey, our whole class supported us,” Scroggie said during the meeting. “We gave a speech and performed a hysterical skit… We were very nervous, but all of our hard work finally paid off as we won.”

The students said faculty adviser Victoria Miller stood behind them and supported their hard work.

“When I came in freshman year, I was a very quiet individual and very held back. I had all sorts of great ideas, but I never really wanted to share them just out of fear,” said Jack. “[Miller] has really helped me to not only realize that I can make my voice heard and I can provide an impact, but also to have confidence in doing that.”

With Jack as FASC president, this

high school represents the entire state. As his adviser, Miller accompanies Jack to attend meetings for each district throughout the year.

“I think this particular student body, and their ability to do the things they do, brings a different personality to this particular school,” Miller said. “I feel they’re really unique.”

While one of SGA’s goals is to serve the school and its students, Miller said the school also serves them with its support for their involvement at the district and state levels. The school’s program has been transformed over the years she has been teaching there, and much of the credit goes toward her students’ dedication to serving others, she said.

“The biggest thing that my students have taken away in the past few years is just understanding the dynamics of each personality and how to work with them,” said Miller. “We’ve been very fortunate in the fact that we have had a lot of support in order for us to be able to grow like we have.”

Ryan said leading others has also helped him discover more about his own personality and which type of work suits him best.

“My personal leadership style is servant leadership,” he said. “It’s very rewarding to be able to see the work that you do come to fruition.”

That service can present itself in all sorts of ways, and Ryan said even small acts of service make him feel fulfilled.

He said one of his favorite memories was welcoming freshman into school on their first day and showing them where

their classes were, because small acts of kindness can make a difference for your peers and classmates.

Both twins hope to use their experience with student government to jump-start their political careers. Ryan said he’d like to be a chief of staff so that he may work behind the scenes on campaigns and work with those in office. Jack said he would like to work as a legislator to make laws, or possibly become a judge.

“As I watch politics today, sometimes

there’s a ton of hostility,” said Jack. “I’ve aways just wanted to be that force that is helping to not only rear down on some of the hostility, but also provide what I think is good in the world.”

He said that traveling to Tallahassee as FASC president and seeing the inner workings of government has enabled him to hopefully hold public office in the future.

“The best way I can get involved and be a part of change is to make the change happen myself,” said Jack.

Florida beach erosion uncovers wooden ship from 1800s

weekend in front of homes which collapsed into rubble on Daytona Beach Shores last month from Hurricane Nicole, “Whenever you find a shipwreck on the beach it’s really an amazing occurrence. There’s this mystery, you know. It’s not there one day, and it’s there the next day, so it really captivates the imagination,” said maritime archaeologist Chuck Meide, who on Tuesday led an archeological team from St. Augustine, Florida to examine the beach find.

Monday and Tuesday removed sand and made a shallow trench around the structure’s wooden timbers, took measurements and made sketches in an effort to solve the 200-year mystery. The digging team members went from using shovels to trowels and then their hands as more of the frame was exposed, so as not to damage any of the wood.

of Volusia County, the skeletal remains of six people believed to be from a Native American burial ground were unearthed by Nicole’s wind and waves. A historical steamer-style trunk and other items also washed onto beaches.

By Mike Schneider and Freida Frisaro Associated Press

Severe beach erosion from two late-season hurricanes has helped uncover what appears to be a wooden ship dating from the 1800s which had been buried

under the sand on Florida’s East Coast for up to two centuries, impervious to cars that drove daily on the beach or sand castles built by generations of tourists.

Beachgoers and lifeguards discovered the wooden structure, between 80 feet to 100 feet (24 meters to 30.5 meters), poking out of the sand over Thanksgiving

Hurricane Ian made landfall in late September on Florida’s southwest coast and exited into the Atlantic Ocean over central Florida. Nicole devastated much of Volusia County’s coastline in early November, leaving behind homes collapsed into the ocean after they had been made vulnerable to erosion from Ian.

“It’s a rare experience, but it’s not unique, and it seems with climate change and more intense hurricane seasons, it’s happening more frequently,” Meide said of the discovery.

The archeological team on

“It’s going a lot quicker today but it does take a lot of time,” said Arielle Cathers, one of the members of the team, as she kneeled in the sand around the trench unearthing parts of the timber frame with a trowel. “You want to go really carefully.”

Meide, who serves as the director of the research arm of St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum in Florida, said he is convinced the structure is a shipwreck because of how it was constructed and the materials such as iron bolts that were used.

It’s not unusual for items to wash up, or become uncovered along beaches, after storms. In Martin County, which is about 160 miles (257 kilometers) south

After the initial discovery two weeks ago, sand from waves reburied the ship’s timbers that had become visible on Daytona Shores Beach. Members of the archeological team this week don’t intend to uncover the entire length of the ship, but merely enough to measure it, draw it and possibly take some wood samples to test for its origins.

There are no plans to remove the ship from Daytona Beach Shores, not only because the cost would likely run in the millions of dollars, but because it’s protected where it is, packed into the wet sand, Meide said.

“We will let Mother Nature bury the wreck,” he said. “That will help preserve it. As long as that hull is in the dark and wet, it will last a very long time, hundreds of more years.”

[Supplied by Victoria Miller]

Arielle Cathers jots down information in a notebook at the site of an exposed wooden structure in the sand Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Daytona Beach Shores, Fla. Severe beach erosion caused by two late-season hurricanes helped partially uncover what appears to be part of an 80-foot-long (24-meters) ship in the sand on Daytona Beach Shores, officials said. [AP Photo/John Raoux]

Higher Electric Bills Set for January

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

tate regulators Tuesday approved utility costs that will translate to higher electric bills in January for homeowners and businesses — and the pain won’t end there.

Bills will go up in January for many customers of Florida Power & Light, along with customers of Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co. and Florida Public Utilities Co. They likely will increase again in the spring because of high costs of natural gas used to fuel power plants.

With utilities heavily reliant on natural gas, Florida Public Service Commission Chairman Andrew Fay expressed frustration about the costs and urged the regulatory panel to look at “risk management” to try to limit volatility in fuel prices.

“We don’t control fuel, and that makes this extremely challenging,” Fay said.

Customers’ bills are made up of a combination of expenses, such as base rates, fuel costs and

environmental costs. The Public Service Commission meets each fall to consider certain costs, including fuel, and how much will be passed on to consumers in the ensuing year.

In addressing rates, utilities use a benchmark of residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month. Commission votes Tuesday finished the process of determining costs that will take effect in January and will result in the following:

— Because of a merger with the former Gulf Power, FPL has two sets of rates. FPL residential customers in areas traditionally served by the utility will see 1,000-kilowatt-hour bills go from the current $120.67 to $125.39 in January. They will go up again to $129.59 in February.

Former Gulf Power customers in Northwest Florida who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity will see their bills go down a penny in January to $155.60, according to the commission. But the bills will go up to $159.79 in February.

— Duke customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their bills go from the current $150.02 to $168.90 in January, according to the commission.

— Tampa Electric customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their bills go from $132.66 to $146.72.

— Florida Public Utilities Co. customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours will see their bills go from $142.80 to $175.46.

While the commission determines each fall how much utilities can collect from customers for fuel costs, the companies also can seek what are known as “mid-course corrections” if the costs are significantly higher than projected. During the past year, each of the four utilities received such a mid-course correction.

But debate during Tuesday’s meeting was dominated by issues about additional fuel costs from 2022 that utilities have not yet sought approval to recoup. That will result in utilities returning to the commission in January with proposals to collect the money,

likely starting in the spring.

As an example, FPL expects to make a filing in January to seek to recover an additional $2 billion in fuel costs from 2022. The utility plans to start recovering the money from customers in April and spread the costs over a 21-month period to avoid “rate shock,” FPL attorney Maria Moncada told the commission.

As another example, Duke is expected to seek to recover about $1.1 billion in fuel costs from 2022. Spokeswoman Ana Gibbs said in an email Tuesday that in “early January, once 2022 actual costs are known, Duke Energy Florida will update the Commission and propose how the costs will be recovered.”

But the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility cases, and two business groups blasted the utilities’ approach. They said the additional 2022 fuel costs should have been included in the proposals approved by the commission Tuesday. They said delays in recouping

the money lead to additional interest costs and create uncertainty for residents and businesses. Robert Scheffel Wright, an attorney for the Florida Retail Federation, pointed to “dramatic rate impacts looming next year.”

“These facts today are antithetical (to the way fuel costs are supposed to be collected) and akin to kicking the fuel-cost recovery can down the road,” said Jon Moyle, an attorney for the Florida Industrial Power Users Group.

But the utilities said they delayed seeking to recoup the remaining 2022 costs because of extreme volatility in natural-gas prices. Moncada said FPL’s plan will provide more stability, rather than repeatedly changing bills during 2022.

“FPL chose not to whipsaw customers in this manner,” she said “Instead, FPL will provide customers the benefit of greater bill stability by waiting for yearend actuals, making a filing in January and aiming for an April 1 implementation date.”

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‘Tis the season for pageantry and fellowship

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

Putting on its annual Live Nativity pageant is no easy task for little St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. It takes every single member, all 50plus of them and a bevy of animals, to pull off the big production.

“The whole congregation is involved in it,” said church member Melissa Hartfiel, whose 5-month-old grandson will play the role of Baby Jesus this year. “It is definitely a labor of love for all of us.”

St. Matthews, located at 3453 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, will present its 18th annual Live Nativity from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 16-17, featuring scenes taken from the New Testament Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke that detail the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.

“We always have animals at our Live Nativity and this year we’re hoping to have them again,” Hartfiel said.

During the free guided event, visitors to the church, which was founded in 1961 by the Rev. Robert E. Carl, will begin their journey through first-century Bethlehem by registering with a census taker, much like travelers had to do under Roman rule. They’ll be given gold coins to pay taxes,

too, another requirement under Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor at the time of Jesus’ birth.

“Visitors will sign their name with the census taker and then travel back in time to experience the sights and sounds of the Bethlehem marketplace with shop vendors trying to sell them goods,” said Hartfiel.

“Rumors of a woman giving birth to the Savior will be spreading throughout the market,” she said.

Down the path, the audience will discover there’s no room at the inn, see shepherds in the field, encounter Roman soldiers, watch as an angel announces the birth of Jesus, see the Three Wise Men or Magi, and finally view Baby Jesus lying in a manger.

Once their journey into Bethlehem is complete, visitors are welcome to go into the church sanctuary for a Christmas carol sing-along, or into the fellowship hall for crafts, desserts, hot cocoa and pictures with Santa.

Last year, around 200 people came to the event, said Hartfiel. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she noted, up to 500 people descended on the church campus for the Live Nativity each year.

This time around, the church community, led by the Rev. Gayle Nelson,

is hoping the pre-pandemic crowds return, she said.

“We’re praying for that many, this is one of our most special events,” said Hartfiel, a mother of four, including two grown children and a 14- and 7-yearold, both of whom will also be in the Live Nativity, along with her two grandchildren.

“It’s a way for us to share what we’re about and what we do with the community,” she said.

A flock of other churches in Marion County are also hosting Christmas events this year. Here are a few of them: Abiding Hope Lutheran Church will host a “Christmas for Kids” holiday event, with crafts, singing, games and make-and-eat snacks, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The program is free and open to area children who are toilet-trained. The church is located at 777 SE 58th Ave., Ocala. Registration is required, go to abidinghopeocala. com or call 352-694-1861.

The Chancel Choir of Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala, will present the Christmas cantata “Night of the Father’s Love: The Awe and Mystery of God with Us” by Pepper Choplin, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday in the

church sanctuary.

First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon, 21501 County Road 40, will host a free Christmas concert featuring contemporary and traditional Christmas songs performed by its worship team band and church choir, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16. The public is welcome to attend.

Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 151 SW 87th Place, Ocala, will present its 27th Annual Living Nativity Pageant from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17-18 at the church campus. The extravaganza includes dozens of church members and volunteers along with oodles of animals in a retelling of the Bible from Adam and Eve to Christ’s ascension. Walk-through tours will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with drive-thru tours happening from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

• Join the historic Grace Episcopal Church for a festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 7 p.m. Dec. 17, followed by a pie social in its parish hall. The church is located at 503 SE Broadway St., Ocala. The public is welcome to attend, and the service will also be available online. Go to graceocala.org.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Aformidable talent all on her own, Jeanne Lowrey grew up singing with her dad, Roger Grenier, a renowned Marion County-based musical director.

She belts out a sweet, unaffected soprano and soulful alto that grabs you by the heart and wrests your attention — much like a Broadway star commanding the climax of a popular musical, but with devotion.

“My professional involvement in music was either in training in college or with my dad,” Lowrey explained, “and I’ve always been honored to be a part of that support. …I love it. It brings me a lot of joy.”

On Friday, Lowrey will help Ocala get in the Christmas spirit by singing yuletide favorites at a beloved annual Christmas concert presented by St. Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, where her father is the music director. She will

sing a few solos and also perform with the St. Mark’s Celebration Choir, a 60-member choir composed of The Villages residents, and the Windsong Ensemble.

“It’s just been a family tradition ever since he’s been there,” Lowrey said of the holiday event. “It’s gotten bigger and bigger and bigger as the community has found out about it; so, I’m just really honored and excited to be part of it again this year.”

The theme of the show is “Christmas Forever – Amen,” a Christmas chorale program written and arranged by Russell Mauldin.

Lowrey’s exuberant vocal performances routinely fill the rafters at Church of the Springs (Ocala campus) every other Sunday and she also will perform in the “Christmas at the Springs” services at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24. She said to expect “a standard flow” of four to five songs, a short sermon and exit music.

Apart from faith, family has been at the center of Lowrey’s life on and off the

stage for as long as she can remember. Her father not only inspired her musically but also provided a steady moral compass and compassionate leadership example.

“I’m tearing up talking about it, but he’s a role model and a mentor to more people than he realizes,” Lowrey said momentarily choked by emotion.

A College of Central Florida alum, Lowrey performed with CF’s Variations show choir. She later graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in business management. Born and raised in Miami, she spent some of her childhood in Marshall, Texas, before moving to Ocala at age 15 in 1998.

These days, Lowrey helps people land jobs as a human resources recruiter. She also keeps busy with her husband, Jonathan Lowrey, and their four children.

“Florida is, and always will be, home to be, she said, “and Ocala has grown so much. I almost feel like I grew with it. Like anyone that’s lived here long enough, I remember when this was there and that was that. And it’s the same for me now, too.”

Lowrey and her two younger brothers, Paul and Chad, were “absorbed or thrust into” performing music, she said.

The Grenier kids were like a religious

“Partridge Family,” trained in instruments, traveling along with a song and supporting the ministry wherever Dad was working.

“Both of my brothers are still very involved in it, just personally — they keep up with music, but they’re both firemen, so it’s a little harder for them to travel now.”

As for her mother, Kathy Grenier, Lowrey said she is the glue that holds it all together.

“She could run a mean soundboard,” Lowrey said. “I don’t think any of us would show up on time, look right, be fed and be rested if it wasn’t for her.”

For more information about the holiday concert at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7090 SE Hwy 42, Summerfield, visit stmarkrcc. com. For information about “Christmas at the Springs” services on Dec. 23-24 at Church at the Springs, 5484 SE 58th Ave., Ocala, visit thesprings.net.

Vocalist Jeanne Lowrey will sing Christmas carols on Friday at St. Mark’s the Evangelist and later this month at Church at the Springs.

Jeanne Lowrey performs solo at a holiday concert and church services this month. [Supplied]

Lowrey with dad and St. Mark’s Musical Director, Roger Grenier [Supplied]

Mark’s the Evangelist Catholic Church. [Supplied]

Cindy and Gracie

These two three-month-old sisters are expert toy chasers. They like to tag team a feather toy and then collapse into someone’s lap, the best place for a nap! Who has room in their heart for this gorgeous duo?

“I’m

up talking about it, but he’s a role model and a

to more people than he realizes.”

Jeanne Lowrey

Pearl Harbor remembrance

event honors

Be vigilant. That was the theme of the annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day program held Sunday, Dec. 4, in the Marion County Board of County Commissioners chambers at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala.

Morrey Deen, a retired U.S. Army major and former chief of the Ocala Police Department, emceed the program and explained that the reminder to be vigilant and remain aware of a possible enemy or terrorist attack was the lifelong message of the late Jack Edge, a U.S. Navy veteran and survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941.

Edge, a resident of Ocala for about 15 years, attended the local Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day program for about 10

years before he died on Nov. 28, 2021 at age 97.

Edge and all those who died in, or served in, the attack, were honored in the program.

A video, “Attack on Pearl Harbor: The Pacific War #1 Documentary”, available on YouTube (https://youtu.be/ZzS1ZAulpoY) was shown. It reviewed the history of the air attack by two waves of more than 350 Japanese aircraft on the naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack, which destroyed scores of U.S. ships and planes and took 2,403 American lives, led to the U.S. entry into World War II.

Deen said it is a “sad commentary” that more people do not make note of the anniversary of the attack and heed Edge’s words.

“Hometown Christmas”

Edge was aboard the U.S.S. Pelius during the attack. A report on Naval History and Heritage Command states that the combined effort of the crew of the Pelius and two other ships is believed to have downed at least one enemy plane.

Deen, who knew Edge and his family, described how Edge was in the ship’s medical unit when the call came to man battle stations, which he and the others in the unit did immediately. He said Edge was in the medical unit for possible removal of his appendix but the procedure was not performed until years later, after he moved to Ocala.

Program attendees on Sunday included Steve Perry, a Vietnam War veteran, Purple Heart recipient and Marion County Honor Guard member, who wore

his Army captain’s dress uniform and Ralph Mueller, a Korean War-era U.S. Air Force veteran and volunteer at the OcalaMarion County Veterans Memorial Park /Veterans Exhibit and Education Center. Mueller, 89, gave a rendition of “America the Beautiful” on his harmonica.

The program was sponsored and organized by the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park administration and park volunteers. Jeffrey Askew, Director of Marion County Veterans Services, thanked the attendees and closed the program.

For more information, go to marionfl.org

Holiday bounty

The annual Ocala Christmas Parade is Saturday

By Ocala Gazette Staff

You know it’s getting close to time for the Ocala Christmas Parade when you see people taping off sections of roadways and setting up chairs near coveted curbside spots.

The parade always takes on the second Saturday of each December, starting promptly at 5:30 p.m. Participants step off from the intersection of Southeast 25th Avenue and Fort King Street, then travel north on Silver Springs Boulevard for 1.6 miles and turn right on Northeast 8th Avenue, ending at Northeast 3rd Street, just before Tuscawilla Park.

This year’s event, which has a theme of “Hometown Christmas,” is set for Saturday, Dec. 10. The grand marshal is George Mathis.

The event is put on by the Friends of the Christmas Parade. The group noted on its Facebook page that “George’s outstanding record of giving back to our community is why he was chosen as this year’s recipient. As a small business owner George and his family

have organized many charitable events, including his annual bicycle round up for underprivileged children in our area. Not only does George donate hundreds of bicycles himself, he organizes and collects and delivers bikes to provide to children on Christmas morning. George also hosts many events to help first responders and youth sports, not to mention many generous financial donations to local charities. George and his family are the epitome of family spirit of giving back to our community.”

The parade will feature several thousand participants, including marching bands, ROTC units, floats, animals, lots of sirens, and, of course, on the final float, Santa Claus. It is one of the oldest and largest nighttime parades in the nation.

For those planning to attend, be aware that several road closures will be in place.

To learn more, go to FB.com/OcalaChristmasParade or ocalachristmasparade.org

By Ocala Gazette Staff

Boxes and bags filled with donations of food were stacked high on Friday, Dec. 2, on tables at the Ocala downtown square. As the donors dropped off their items, there was a good chance they would have their photo taken by Karla GrimsleyGreenway, president/CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, and posted on social media.

She even enticed more donations for the annual Bring The Harvest Home food drive by posting photos of freshlybaked cookies, which were provided courtesy of the Magnolia Bakery, and were being given to those whose generosity led to more than 20,000 pounds of food being collected.

“Bring The Harvest Home is such a special event every year for our pantry. Not only does it restock our shelves, it inspires a lot of other people throughout the community to keep giving throughout the month. It always feels like it’s just the start of a very generous giving season. We appreciate the county commission for making this an Ocala tradition,” Grimsley-Greenway said.

The collection event was the culmination of several weeks of public agencies, businesses and individuals collecting donations. The food will be given to local pantries, along with more than $17,000 to be split between the benefitting nonprofits: Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services and the Salvation Army.

A news release from the Marion County Board of County Commissioners thanked “all of those who helped with the event and/or donated their time, including our Marion County departments, as well as Marion County Public Schools, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Ocala Municipal Government, the Ocala Police Department, Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Fire Rescue, Florida Highway Patrol, 93.7 K COUNTRY, Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, Marion County Supervisor of Elections, Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, Marion County Animal Services and many, many more.

go to marionfl.org/ our-county/bring-the-harvest-home

Annual

military personnel who were in the attack in Hawaii in 1941.

Morrey Deen speaks at the annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day held Sunday, December 4. 2022 At the Marion County Board of County Commissioners chambers. [Supplied]

Korean War era veteran Ralph Mueller,left, gives a rendition of “America the Beautiful” on his harmonica as Jeffrey Askew, Director of Marion County Veterans Services, looks on, at the annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day held Sunday, December 4. 2022. [Supplied]

File photo: The Grinch waves as he rides on the hood of a car with the Florida Gamblers

group during the Ocala Christmas Parade in Ocala on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021.

[Supplied by Marion County]

Over the years as I’ve been cranking out these bi-weekly quizzes, I’ve been accused of being a certified nostalgia freak. It is a bit rewarding, though, when I unearth a particularly noteworthy historic milestone that may have escaped notice. As an example, this past Tuesday was the 75th birthday of our near and dear Everglades. On December 6, 1947, president Harry Truman officially dedicated this uniquely Florida piece of our planet. Today, we observe other mostly memorable December happenings that you may recall.

1. In December 1539, he celebrated his first Christmas in Florida at an encampment near what is now the state capitol in Tallahassee. He was:

A. Christopher Columbus B. Ponce de Leon C. Francisco Pizarro D. Hernando de Soto

2. If you’re up to a swim with manatees this December, the official place to go is Three Sisters Spring, which is in:

A. Crystal River

B. Silver Glen C. Cedar Key D. Silver Springs

3. In December 1994, Vanguard High School quarterback Daunte Culpepper was named Florida’s prep “Mr. Football.” He went on to play college ball at:

A. Central Florida B. Miami C. Florida State D. Florida A&M

4. In December 1927, circus entrepreneur John Ringling transformed this coastal city when he moved his operation to Florida. It is: A. Palm Beach B. Miami C. Sarasota D. Bradenton

5. Ft. Drane was a key army outpost in north Marion County during the Seminole Wars. It was also known as:

A. Ft. King B. Ft. McCoy C. Auld Lang Syne D. Ft. Marion

6. Legendary FSU coach Bobby Bowden announced his retirement December 1 2009. His final game was a Gator Bowl win over his previous team, which was:

A. BYU B. Miami C. West Virginia D. Tennessee

7. Swampy, the 200 foot “alligator,” is the centerpiece at Jungle Adventures, the tourist attraction at Christmas, which is in _________ county.

A. Osceola B. Orange C. Volusia D. Hendry

8. On December 12 1998, Ocala’s Buddy MacKay became governor when he succeeded Lawton Chiles who died in office. What was Chiles’ nickname?

A. Walkin’ Lawton B. Honest Lawton C. Gentleman Lawton D. Guv’ Lawtons

9. On December 5 1945, five US Navy Avenger aircraft mysteriously disappeared in the Atlantic on a training flight from the naval air station in _____________.

A. Key West B. Pensacola C. Orlando D. Ft. Lauderdale

10. In December 1889, Albertus Vogt made a discovery that changed the future for Dunnellon. It was:

A. Rainbow Springs B. Lithium C. Phosphate D. Uranium

Answers are on

COMING DECEMBER 23: The Best of 2022. Contact Bob Hauck: bobhauck39@gmail.com

DECEMBER 9

The Nutcracker Ballet

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm

The Dance Alive National Ballet performs this holiday classic as Clara meets and saves the Nutcracker Prince and they make a musical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tickets are $10-$35 from reillyartscenter.com

DECEMBER 9-11

“Sleighin’ It: A Holiday Cabaret”

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Friday and Saturday 7pm; Sunday 1:30 pm

Students from the theatre’s Creative Arts Student Troupe will perform on the outdoor stage, with original stories, songs, skits and more. Tickets are $10 for ages 18 and under; $12 for adults. For more info, ocalacivictheatre.com

DECEMBER 13 & 15

Santa on the Square

Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala 6pm-8pm

A special visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and some holiday elves will make this a photo fest for families. The square is lighted for the holidays; free parking in the municipal garage two blocks to the east. For more info, see ocalafl.org/holidays

DECEMBER 10

Ocala Christmas Parade

McPherson Governmental Complex to Tuscawilla Park, Ocala 5:30pm

This year’s theme is “Hometown Christmas” and this 65-year tradition of a holiday parade will take over Ocala’s streets. Adults and children will delight as dusk takes over and the Christmas lights dazzle on the floats. For more info, ocalachristmasparade.org

DECEMBER

10 & 11

“Emmanuel, God with Us!”

CF Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

Saturday 2pm & 7pm; Sunday 2pm

The Light of Joy Ballet Company performs this classic dance. Free to attend; seating is first-come, first-served. More into at dancedivineocala.com/ events.htm

DECEMBER 11 & 18

Master Choir Winter Concert

Dec 11: Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala

Dec 18: Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St., Dunnellon

3pm

The Central Florida Master Choir gives a holiday performance of classic seasonal songs, Vivaldi’s “Gloria in D Major” and the chorus from “Messiah.” Free; goodwill donations accepted. For more info, cfmasterchoir.com

DECEMBER 14

“The Polar Express” Family Movie Night

Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala 6pm This free showing of this Christmas tale features an introduction from Marshall Zackery, a local Paralympic track and field competitor. Donations of clothing will be accepted for the Brother’s Keeper thrift shop. See reillyartscenter.com for more info.

DECEMBER 15

Feliz Navidad from Spain

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 5:15pm Celebrate the holidays Spanish style with entertainment from the Don Soledad Music group

community

DECEMBER 9

Groundbreaking: Fort King

Blacksmith Shop

Fort King Historic National Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala

10am

The city of Ocala is having a groundbreaking ceremony for a new blacksmith shop to be built on the Fort King Park grounds, which will highlight the history of the blacksmith trade and its key part of the fort’s history. For more info, ocalafl.org/recpark

DECEMBER 9-11

Pac West Barrel Race Show

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

All day

Multiple races with great prizes and exciting action, all free to spectators. Food and drink options onsite. For more info, see selp.marionfl.org/home

DECEMBER 9-11

Run for the Ribbons Thoroughbred Transformation Expo

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

All day

Thoroughbred horses coming off the job need new careers and Run for the Ribbons is a charitable group that helps train and place these equine athletes. This show will feature a variety of disciplines, with classes in hunter, jumper, dressage, eventing, working

ranch, trail horse and freestyle. $28,000 in prizes. For more info, runfortheribbons.org

DECEMBER 9 & 16

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.

DECEMBER 10 & 17

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am

Stretch out by the Sholom Park stage; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

DECEMBER 10 & 17

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.

government

DECEMBER 6

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm-8pm

Meets the first and third Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

DECEMBER 6 & 20

City of Ocala City Council Meeting

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 4pm Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

DECEMBER 6 & 20

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

DECEMBER 6

with guitar, violin and vocals. Food and beverages available from Paella Anywhere prepared by Chef Pablo. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Tickets are $15; see sholompark.org for more info.

DECEMBER 16-18

The Spirit of the Horse World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arena 5, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 7pm-9pm

This unique holiday show takes you to an enchanted land where a snow queen, angels and fairies perform in a story told with horse and rider combinations and exquisite costumes. Tickets start at $25. Note: A parking fee of $30 per car is in effect during the Winter Wonderland exhibit. For more, see worldequestriancenter.com

DECEMBER 17-30

“Trains at the Holidays” art display College of Central Florida, Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Daily 10am-4pm This tradition of displaying model trains built and maintained by the local Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society and is in its 26th year. Many of the model layouts are based on real-life Marion County landmarks, like Six Gun Territory. The display is free to all. For more info, CF.edu/Webber

DECEMBER 17

“Assisted Living The Musical: The Home for The Holidays “ Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7pm

The holiday version of Assisted Living: The Musical revisits the Pelican Roost Assisted Living Home in a vaudeville-esque show is full of humor, songs, alleged dance and Christmas and Hanukkah senior silliness. Tickets are $15-$35. See

DECEMBER 10 & 17

Farmers Swap Meet Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm

A true farmers swap meet where chickens, ducks, quail, 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.

DECEMBER 10

Ocala 200 Lions Flea Market Bank OZK, 8375 SW State Road 200, Ocala 8am-1pm

Booths full of goods. Food and drink for purchase. The club welcomes donations of non-perishable food items for Interfaith Emergency Services, pop top rings for the Ronald McDonald House and donations of used glasses, cases and hearing aids. Proceeds will be used for community projects. For more info, bartorobert@hotmail.com

DECEMBER 14

HACC Donor Luncheon 306 NW 7th Ave., Building 3, Ocala 11:30am-1:30pm

The Howard Academy Community Center hosts a free luncheon to introduce people to the opportunities at the school and to view the Black History Museum of Marion County. Reservations suggested; tickets at https://bit.ly/3Fb1elK

reillyartscenter. com for more info.

THROUGH DECEMBER 24

Winter Wonderland

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 5pm-9pm

The outdoor winter holiday celebration takes place Thursday through Sunday nights at the Grand Plaza. There will be photo ops at the 45-foot, walkthrough Christmas tree, holiday décor, carolers, balloon artists, face painting, live entertainment and Santa. Note: this is a paid parking event ($30) and some experiences require purchase. See wecwinterwonderland.com for more info.

THROUGH DECEMBER 30

Christmas Light Spectacular

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm-10pm

This is a drive-thru Christmas light show with a walk-around area. Ticket prices are $20-$25 per carload and include kids’ activities, live music, train rides, slides and inflatables and a visit with Santa. Food trucks will be onsite and, new this year, ice skating. For more info, see ocalamarion.com/ events/ocala-christmas-light-spectacular/

THROUGH JANUARY 8

A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm5pm

The Urban family’s premiere collection of Christmas decorations is on display on the first floor and includes beautiful trees, the miniature Dickens Village plus nutcrackers, handmade caroler dolls and Santa dolls. The second floor has trees decorated by area community groups and businesses. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

DECEMBER 14-18

Ocala Holiday Classic Horse Show HITS Post-Time Farm, 13710 US Highways 27, Ocala 8am-6pm This is a hunter-jumper show series culminating in the Grand Prix on Sunday with a $25,000 grand prize. Classes for youth riders, re-trained thoroughbreds, adult amateur riders and more. See hitsshows.com/Ocala for more info.

DECEMBER 17

Giving Gala

Licciardello Farms, 1800 SE 160th St., Summerfield 6pm

This third annual gala will raise money for the Landon Yerk Memorial Scholarship in memory of Landon Brice Yerk. Yerk’s talents focused on handson and outdoors activities and this scholarship is specifically for a trade scholarship. Raffle, live auctions, tapas, drinks and more. RSVPs encouraged. Contact Madison Licciardello at (352) 653-7397.

DECEMBER 17

HOPS Historic Homes Tour 712 E Fort King St., Ocala 6pm

The Historic Ocala Preservation Society hosts a tour of beautiful homes in the historic district. Enjoy holiday decorations, carolers, snacks and more. Pick up a map for the self-guided tour and take a stroll through history. More info at FB.com/HOPSBryantHouse

DECEMBER 12

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Planning & Zoning Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 2pm Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month after the regular morning meeting. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/ Calendar.aspx

DECEMBER 7

Joint Workshop Regarding Interlocal Agreement with Marion County School Board Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 9am Meeting with city and county officials to discuss school issues.

DECEMBER 12 & 19

Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala 9am

The first step for projects, the committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

City of Dunnellon City Council Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm

Meets the second Monday of the month; Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video available at Dunnellon.org/89/Agendas-Minutes

DECEMBER 12

City of Ocala Planning & Zoning Meeting

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 5:30pm

Meets the second Monday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

DECEMBER 13

City of Belleview Planning & Zoning Board

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 5:30pm-6:30pm

Meets the second Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

DECEMBER 14

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 9am-10am

Meets the second and fourth Wednesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

civic

DECEMBER 9 & 16

Chess Club at Freedom Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala

10am-12pm Meets weekly on Fridays; new members welcome. Please bring your own chess set. For more info, Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

DECEMBER 9 & 16

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed

Trinity Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org

& &music nightlife

DECEMBER 9 & 16

Courtyard Jams

MCA Courtyard 23 W Broadway St., Ocala 6-9pm Music, dancing, drumming, poetry

DECEMBER 9

Conrad Marcum

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment.

DECEMBER 9

Sad Donkey

Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm Live music, line dancing, food and drink.

DECEMBER 10

Mark Smythe

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

DECEMBER 10

The Big Bad Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm

DECEMBER 14

Sandra & Alex Lekid

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

DECEMBER 15

DECEMBER 14 & 21

VFW Wednesday Dinners

Angela S. Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala

4:30pm-6:30pm

The post offers weekly dinners for about $5-$7. The dining room is open to the public, meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers and proceeds benefit veterans. For the weekly menu, call (352) 873-4781.

DECEMBER 15 & 22

Ocala Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 12pm

Meets weekly on Thursdays; newcomers welcome. The club supports vision health and diabetes prevention. More info at e-clubhouse.org/sites/ocalafl

arts

DECEMBER 9

Ugly Sweater Contest and Nate Mercado

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

DECEMBER 16

Ecliff Farrar

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

DECEMBER 16

Peaches

Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm

DECEMBER 17

Retro Express

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

DECEMBER 17

Stava Maia

Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm

Sunset Cinema: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 6pm

This charming film will entertain the whole family. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, snacks and drinks or buy from food truck onsite. $12 per vehicle for up to eight passengers. For more info, sholompark.org/events

DECEMBER 9

Never Give Up On Country Concert

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Expo Center 1, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 4:30-11pm

This benefit for the Travis Mills Foundation features Colt Ford and Kidd G with headliner Jimmie Allen. A pre-concert block party with Chris McNeil will have contests, food trucks, a parachute show and more. The foundation supports injured veterans and their families. Tickets are $78-$202. For more info, travismillsfoundation.org

DECEMBER 15

DECEMBER 14

General

Francis Marion Stamp Club meeting

Public Library Headquarters, Room B, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1pm

The club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month; newcomers welcome. For more info, elliotn27@aol.com.

THROUGH DECEMBER 11

BLOW UP II: Inflatable

Contemporary Art

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

10am-5pm

This exhibition shows off the whimsical and fun artwork made of inflatables. Eight internationally renowned artists have works on display. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH JANUARY 9

Looking on the Brighter Side by Jennifer Weigel

Recreation and Parks Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Weigel’s multi-media artwork includes drawings, fibers, installation, paint, video and more to explores themes of beauty, identity and memory. For more info, ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JANUARY 2023

Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier

Trinity Catholic tops Father Lopez in girls hoops

By Mark Pinson Special to Ocala Gazette

Trinity Catholic junior forward Rose Gravel scored eight of her team-high 10 points in the fourth quarter to pace the Celtics to a 38-30 win over Father Lopez Catholic in girls basketball on Wednesday Nov. 30.

The loss dropped Father Lopez Catholic (Daytona Beach) to 2-3 on the season, while the win improved Trinity Catholic, which committed 21 turnovers, to 3-1 overall.

“It was a sloppy win,” said Celtics coach Matt Moyer. “We’re young and we’re going to make mistakes but we have to do a better job of handling the ball. I love this group of girls and we have to dig a little deeper, continue to buy in and continue to push each other to get better.”

Wednesday’s contest featured a rematch of last year’s Class 3A-District 3 final which Trinity Catholic won by a score of 65-40.

The Celtics had a number of good looks at the basket in the opening quarter but couldn’t get the ball to fall with any consistency and despite a 3-pointer by senior Micaela Gomez, trailed the Green Wave by a score of 9-8 heading to the second period.

Father Lopez extended its lead as senior guard Madison Kollar knocked down a 3-pointer from the right baseline and scored seven of her game-high 16 points.

Trinity Catholic guard Alessa Washington buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer to pull the Celtics within 17-15 at the half.

Trinity Catholic came out focused for the third quarter and played great defense forcing Father Lopez into numerous

turnovers.

Delaney Baker stole the ball and scored on a layup and Liliana Rosario, who pulled down seven rebounds, converted a pair of free throws and scored on a put-back to give the Celtics a slim 21-20 lead heading to the final eight minutes.

Trinity Catholic went to a full-court press and it paid immediate dividends as back-to-back Father Lopez turnovers were turned into points on a layup by Gravel and a basket by Baker to take a 26-25 lead.

The Green Wave, which committed 19 turnovers, answered as sophomore guard Adelae Fulton drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 28-26 lead with 5:55 left in the game.

Gravel, who had 12 rebounds, went to work inside the paint and scored on a put-back and swished three of four free throw attempts to put the Celtics up 31-30 with 3:03 left to play.

Trinity Catholic pulled down a Father Lopez missed shot and executed its offense to perfection with Baker swishing a 3-pointer from the right baseline to put the Celtics up by four points.

The Green Wave continued to battle but with time running out was forced to foul and Trinity Catholic made its free throws to seal the victory.

The Celtics will have a quick turnaround with a game on Thursday night at Buchholz (Gainesville).

“We got the win and if we ever put four quarters together, there are a lot of teams that are in trouble,” coach Moyer said. “We’ve got a game on Thursday night at Buchholz and we have to handle the pressure better because they’re going to be in our face.”

By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Photos

Trinity Catholic’s Rose Gravel (15) breaks away from Father Lopez’ Adelae Fulton (10) after a steal during a basketball game at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Trinity Catholic’s Rose Gravel (15) and Liliana Rosario (35) battle for a loose ball with Father Lopez’ Alana Francis (20).

Father Lopez’ Candelaria Fernandez (14) looks for a way to the hoop as she is defended by Trinity Catholic’s Delaney Baker (12).

Right: Trinity Catholic’s Heaven Sanders (3) shoots for two over Father Lopez’ Elizabeth Carvajal (3).

I love this group of girls and we have to dig a little deeper, continue to buy in and continue to push each other to get better.

Matt Moyer Trinity Catholic Celtics coach

Trinity Catholic wins heavyweight battle with John Carroll Catholic to earn a spot in the state championship game

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Trinity Catholic Celtics football team is headed to the 1-Suburban State Championship Game after beating the John Carroll Catholic Rams in a defensive battle on Dec. 2.

It was a perfect night for football as the temperature sat at 70 degrees for kickoff but the action on the field was white hot from the beginning as Trinity Catholic started on offense at their own 36-yard line.

A sack on second down by John Carroll defensive end Wilky Denaud put the Trinity Catholic offense behind the eight-ball and fullback Kenyen Smith was stopped on fourth-and-1 to give the ball to the John Carroll offense.

The visitors from Fort Pierce had no issues moving the ball on their opening possession as running back Tony Colebrook had four consecutive carries and gained 37 yards. He finished off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to give his team a 7-0 lead with six minutes left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive for Trinity Catholic, running back Beau Beard gained 38 yards on three carries but the drive stalled due to an illegal substitution penalty and two incomplete passes to force a punt. Trinity Catholic’s defense bounced back from giving up a touchdown to force a punt.

Four carries and 31 yards by Beard, combined with a 15-yard run by Gerald Lawton, gave Trinity Catholic superb field position at the John Carroll one-yard line. Beard was given three opportunities to punch it in, but John Carroll’s defense made a fantastic stand and forced a 20-yard field goal from senior kicker Justin Arroyo.

John Carroll had to start their next drive on their own 5-yard line and did gain a first down on a 10-yard reception by Aidan Singleton. The first down conversion would be the high point of the drive as Trinity Catholic stuffed Colebrook the next three plays to force another punt.

“The offense wasn’t rolling, so we had to back them up and we played as a unit and it came together pretty well,” Trinity Catholic linebacker Donathan Lecorn said.

A short punt gave Trinity Catholic the ball at the 50-yard line and Beard gained a first down on the first two plays before quarterback Preston Wright connected with tight end Mekai Griffin for a 13-yard gain on third-and-10.

Following a few more carries from Beard, the senior gave Trinity Catholic the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run with just over a minute left before halftime. The struggles continued for the John Carroll offense as carries by Colebrook and Freddie Pittman did not gain much.

Trinity Catholic tried a deep pass on the final play of the first half but came up short

and took a 10-7 lead to halftime.

John Carroll started the third quarter with the ball but Trinity Catholic linebackers Tyler Simms and Omaryon Leslie notched sacks on back-to-back plays, which led to a fourth consecutive punt.

Beard and the offense ran into trouble on their first drive of the third quarter as he lost a fumble on second down. John Carroll’s momentum was short lived as Colebrook and quarterback Dawson Maehl had issues with a handoff and fumbled the ball back to Trinity Catholic.

Trinity Catholic had the momentum back on their side following a 6-yard reception by John Hayes, but Beard lost his second fumble of the night at the end of an 11-yard run.

John Carroll took advantage of the ball security issues by Beard and drove down to the 8-yard line before settling for an 18-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 with three minutes left in the third quarter.

The offensive struggles for Trinity Catholic put pressure on the defense to make stop after stop and Beard was grateful for the group’s perseverance.

“I just thank my teammates so much after what happened tonight. They had my back tonight. They went out and fought for me when adversity came up,” Beard said.

Trinity Catholic started the following drive at their own 21-yard line and junior wide receiver Cedric McFadden made the first big play of the possession, with a 14yard reception on third-and-6.

A holding call put the coaches into a precarious position of deciding to go for the first down on fourth-and-3 at the 50-yard line. Trinity Catholic was able to draw John Carroll offsides and gain the first down.

Beard got four more carries on the drive before a pass on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line fell incomplete and forced Arroyo to notch an 18-yard field goal to give Trinity Catholic a 13-10 lead with six minutes left to go.

John Carroll could not take advantage of a 45-yard kickoff return by Singleton as Trinity Catholic safety Devontae Grant came up with a beautiful pass breakup on fourth down to give the ball back to his offense with 4:20 left in the game.

Beard began the next drive with an 18-yard run but his next two carries went for seven yards and backup running back JaMarkus Starkes was stuffed on third down to force a punt.

Arroyo came through with his biggest play of the game with a perfectly placed 26yard punt that pinned John Carroll at their own 11-yard line.

Arroyo has been a force on special teams all season and came through when needed most, with two field goals and two extra points.

“It’s an ecstatic feeling knowing I played a role in this game and it’s great to help out the team,” Arroyo said.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Trinity Catholic’s Beau Beard (20) makes John Carroll Catholic’s Robert Jones (3) miss him as he eludes him in their 22-10 win in the FHSAA State Semifinal at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Trinity Catholic defenders stop a John Carroll Catholic running back.

Trinity Catholic’s Courtney Patterson (3) tries to recover a fumble by John Carroll Catholic’s quarterback Dawson Maehl (15).

Trinity Catholic’s Gerald Lawton (82) eludes John Carroll Catholic defenders.

Trinity Catholic’s head coach John Brantley III, celebrates with the game ball for his 90th win after he was given the ball by

Athletic Director Tommy Bond, left, after Trinity Catholic defeated John Carroll Catholic 22-10 in the FHSAA State Semifinal.

“The offense wasn’t rolling, so we had to back them up and we played as a unit and it came together pretty well.”

Donathan Lecorn

Trinity Catholic linebacker

Vanguard wins in dominant fashion over to Belleview to move to 7-0

offensive end as sophomore Amanda Egan notched her fifth goal of the season to make it 4-0.

The onslaught was on as Vanguard continued to attack on offense as McCord scored her second and third goals of the night within two minutes of each other. Following McCord getting a hat trick, Martinez scored her third goal of the night moments after her teammate to push the lead to 7-0.

Freshman Ashlyn Wan scored her fifth goal of the season to make the lead 8-0 after the ball ricocheted off the goal post and back to Wan for an open net. Martinez scored her fourth and final goal of the night less than a minute after Wan.

Vanguard finished off the victory with McCord picking up her fourth goal of the night and Egan blasting her second score of the night to give Vanguard an 11-0 win.

It was a humbling night for Belleview as they suffered their first loss of the season, but head coach Melissa Leon feels her team learned a lot about themselves in the defeat and can use those lessons to improve.

“They’re upset, and they are hard on themselves. We are all hard on ourselves. So we will have to learn from this game and do better next time,” Leon said.

touch on the ball with passing and moving. Some of these girls had a chip on their shoulder because these were two undefeated teams and we felt we were better, so they came out to prove that tonight,” Fratello said.

The senior duo of Martinez and McCord put on a show with eight combined goals, the two forwards now have a combined 24 goals through the first seven games of the season.

“It’s fun playing out here with a bunch of girls who we see during school and in class. It’s just good to come out here and have some fun with them.

Obviously scoring four goals is amazing, but it feels better to do it with your team coming up to hug you and give you high fives,” Martinez said.

McCord added: “We’ve played together on nine or 10 different

club teams and there are a couple of other girls on the team who played with us as well. It’s cool for us to all be back and playing together again.”

With the fantastic start comes the responsibility of staying motivated and not getting complacent. A huge rivalry game against Forest looms on Friday, Dec. 9 and Fratello is confident his team will continue to work hard and be motivated.

“Everybody has that circled on their calendar before the season starts. They’re a good team, well coached and have a lot of talent, so we know we need to take care of business that night,” he said.

Belleview fell to 4-1 on the season and will be off until Tuesday, Dec.6 at 7 p.m. when they host Palatka. Vanguard is back in action on Monday, Dec. 5 when they host Lake Weir at 6 p.m.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The night of Dec. 1 at Booster stadium featured a battle of the last two undefeated girls’ soccer teams in Marion County as the Vanguard Knights (6-0) faced off against the Belleview Rattlers (4-0).

The anticipation heading into the matchup was high as both teams were looking to stake their claim as the best team in the county.

Vanguard did not waste any time as senior Kaylee McCord fired in a goal off a corner kick pass just four minutes after the opening whistle. Six minutes later, senior Marleigh Martinez scored a goal on another corner kick to give Vanguard a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes of the game.

Martinez scorched the back of the net for the second time on a beautiful assist by McCord to extend the lead to 3-0. Vanguard used speed and physicality on defense to keep the ball on the

She continued: “We’re coming off a win streak and we got a little excited and thought we’d be able to keep up, but we struggled a bit. We’ve got another game with Vanguard and next time we will be competitive.”

With the win, Vanguard moves to 7-0 on the season and head coach Jay Fratello said his team was motivated and wanted to send a message on Thursday night.

“We came out pretty strong. The girls have been working hard. I thought we had good

Vanguard’s Ruby Scott (3) battles for control of the ball with Belleview’s Raelin Jodoin (4) during a soccer match at Booster Stadium in Ocala on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Vanguard’s Marleigh Martinez (10) goes around Belleview’s Raelin Jodoin (4).

Vanguard’s Jenna Walker (14) and Belleview’s Mimi Torres (20) battle for the ball.

Vanguard’s Amanda Egan (12) and Belleview’s Emma Brantley (6) battle to control the ball.

Cornerstone Academy

Dunnellon 62 Weeki Wachee 48

Meadowbrook Academy 48 Oak Hall 60

First Assembly Christian 20 Hope Christian Academy 38

Belleview

Trinity Catholic

Wildwood

Forest

St. John Lutheran 65 Saint Francis Catholic 56

Ocala Christian Academy 42 Cedar Key 57

November 30

West Port 38 Citrus 40

December 1

Mount Dora 59

Trinity Catholic 47 Dunnellon 60 Vanguard 66

Meadowbrook Academy 25 Belleview 67

Ocala Christian Academy 23 Mississippi Valley Christian 52

Redeemer Christian 76 Aucilla Christian 36

First Christian 15

First Assembly Christian 52

December 2

Forest 56 Buchholz 68

Vanguard 66 West Port 43

Belleview 37

The Villages Charter 82

Redeemer Christian 68 St. John Lutheran 24

Hernando Christian Academy 32 Meadowbrook Academy 34

First Assembly Christian 48 Corinth Christian Academy 38

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SCORES

November 28

Lake Weir 43

Belleview 19 Cedar Key 40 St. John Lutheran 38

Countryside Christian 38 Ocala Christian 32

First Assembly Christian 21 First Academy 25

November 29

Vanguard 35 Lake Weir 40

Wildwood 68 Dunnellon 45

Ocala Christian 40 Cedar Key 44

Meadowbrook Academy 54 South Sumter 28

November 30

Father Lopez 30 Trinity Catholic 38

December 1

Forest 36 West Port 59 St. John Lutheran 30 Belleview 43

December 2 Williston 32 Forest 57

Trinity

during a basketball game at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Vanguard’s Kaylie

Vanguard’s Kenaria Dowdy (12) takes the ball away from Lake Weir’s Tatum Lake (20) as Lake drives to the hoop during a basketball game at Lake Weir High School in Candler on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Trinity Catholic’s Brionie Leahmon (13) looks for a way around Father Lopez’ Elizabeth Carvajal (3) during a basketball game at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.