Ocala Gazette | December 25 - 31, 2020 by Magnolia Media Company

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 26

Merr y

Christmas

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020

First COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Ocala By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

olanda Cooke, a registered nurse at AdventHealth Ocala, was calm and steady as Norma Cuervo, another registered nurse, stuck a needle in Cooke’s arm. Behind them, a socially-distanced group broke out in a round of applause. Cooke received the first COVID-19 vaccine at AdventHealth Ocala on Tuesday morning. The event was part of Florida’s rollout of the first wave of the Pfizer vaccine. “I felt very honored,” Cooke said. “I do feel safe. Like with any other vaccine, we get it because we want to eliminate what’s causing an issue in our community. So it does make

you feel safer knowing that there’s something out there to help protect what’s actually attacking us.” Cooke hopes her participation will help increase public trust in the vaccine as it becomes more available. “The fact that the vaccine is here is a positive spin on things,” Cooke said. “They shouldn’t be afraid to get it, and let’s do it all together.” Moments later, registered nurse Barbara Rabenda administered the vaccine to Rafick Black, a respiratory therapist and Cooke’s husband. Black said the vaccine brings with it a sense of relief. “My family will be safe, and my coworkers will be safe,” Black said.

Yolanda Cooke, a registered nurse at AdventHealth Ocala was the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

See Vaccine, page 13

Ocala weighs bankruptcy in fire fee fallout By Carlos Medina Ocala Gazette

Wreaths Across America Ralph Mueller, 87, a Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, plays his 55-year-old Hohner harmonica as a tribute during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Highland Memorial Park. The event held in Ocala on Dec. 19 saw more than 1,400 wreaths placed on the gravesites of military veterans. The local event was part of a national effort that included more than 2,100 other locations, including Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. The country’s largest military cemetery was decorated with more than 250,000 wreaths. All the wreaths are paid for through donations. See more photos, page 2

Marion County faces looming deadline for CARES Act Funding By Jennifer Murty Ocala Gazette

he Marion County Board of County Commissioners must spend almost $63.8 million in CARES Act funding by the end of the year, prompting them to try and sweep tens of millions into county coffers less they lose the money. With over $29 million already spent, the county anxiously awaits a decision from the state on their plan for the final draw of the

money, totaling $34.5 million. If not approved, the county could find itself over-extended by several million dollars thanks to spending and commitments already made for the funds. County Commissioners recently decided to request the final draw be put it in their general fund on the basis that it was reimbursement of personnel costs for all public safety employees in the county. At the same time acknowledging that it was yet to be decided how the final draw would be spent.

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With only a week left to spend the money, Assistant County Administrator Jeannie Rickman confirms the county application for the final draw “is still under review and we have not received an approval as yet.”

How we got here On June 17, county commissioners entered into an agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency

acing the potential of having to pay back millions in illegally collected fire service fees, the city of Ocala is not discarding the possibility of declaring bankruptcy, according to recent legal filings. The prospect is the latest wrinkle in the years-long case disputing how the city chose to fund fire services. In June, the Florida 5th District Court of Appeal declared the fee unconstitutional. The city appealed, but in November, the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear the case, allowing the decision to stand. Now, attorneys for the plaintiffs in the class-action suit want the city to deposit more than $81.4 million into a common fund ahead of a plan for reimbursement to as many as 76,000 current and former Ocala Electric Utility customers. The city bundled the fee into the monthly electric bill of every city resident. But the city disputes the $81.4 million total and wants the court to determine the actual amount owed. Once that occurs, and the city decides not to declare bankruptcy, it will decide how to establish the common fund, according to a Dec. 18 filing by the city. “I can tell you we are legally obligated to explore all (of the city’s) options. We are looking at it (bankruptcy) if there are no other options,” said Pat Gilligan, the city’s attorney handling the case. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4, before Circuit Judge Robert Hodges. For Derek Schroth, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, the city is dragging its feet toward the inevitable. He said the $81.4 million figure came from the city’s own records. But Ocala is arguing the court never established the amount owed and wants the court to consider options for refunds, including

See Relief Funds, page 11

See Fire Tax, page 16

Inside: Made With Love...................... 7 Holiday with the Herd........... 9 Basketball................................. 12 Vaccine Numbers.................... 13 Calendar................................... 15 CF Receives Gift...................... 17

Photos by Bruce Ackerman

From clockwise: A view of the wreaths adorning graves at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala on Dec. 19; Dennis Makransky of Ocala salutes a veteran after placing a wreath on a gravesite; Ken Nichols, a U.S. Navy veteran, salutes as he says the Pledge of Allegiance; Bruce Gonseth of American Legion Post 284 in Belleview carries Christmas wreaths to place on veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gravesites; Jaycee Freyman, 8, salutes a veteran after placing a wreath on his gravesite, with her father Chris Freyman; Suzanne McGuire, the legislative assistant to Senator Keith Perry, John Grimstead of AmVets, Mike Kelson, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, and Ken Nichols, a U.S. Navy veteran stand together during the Wreaths Across America ceremony; Juanita Applegate of Belleview places a wreath on a veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gravesite.

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Saving Mercy chauffeur leads by example By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” - Thomas Jefferson

Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@magnoliamediaco.com

Carlos Medina, Managing Editor carlos@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com Ainslie Lee, Associate Editor ainslie@ocalagazette.com Brendan Farrell, Reporter brendan@ocalagazette.com Lisa McGinnes, Editor lisa@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Graphic Designer Brooke Pace brooke@magnoliamediaco.com

obert Jerklin’s 2001 Chevrolet Impala isn’t much. He will tell you the power steering pump is on its way out. Others might say it could use a good wash. “I’ve got more invested in that car than what I paid for it,” Jerklin jokes. But to him, the nearly 20-yearold machine is worth every penny he’s spent. Jerklin, who moved to Ocala from Chicago in 1968 after his sister fell ill, has lived at Saving Mercy, 3601 W. Silver Springs Blvd., for two years now. The organization’s goal is get people off the street and provide stable housing while they get help and eventually live independently if able. For years, Jerklin struggled with drug addiction, which saw him in and out of prison and struggling to keep a roof over his head. After his most recent stint behind bars in 2014, the Illinois native was living in the Recovery House of Ocala before making the transition to Unity Place, another Ocala-based halfway house. However, when a disagreement with a roommate at Unity Place forced him out, Jerklin was left

reeling for a place to live. “I went to talk to Father Pat (Sheedy), and he got me in (Saving Mercy),” Jerklin said. “With the agreement, when I came here, that I was to help people... Take them to jobs, job searches... doctors, shopping. I was retired... and they would pay me for it.” Sheedy, the pastor of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, helped spearhead the Saving Mercy project. Jerklin, who had a career in truck driving behind him, didn’t think twice about Sheedy’s proposal. Saving Mercy eventually stopped paying Jerklin. But he still offers his services to those residents who need a ride, doing it for little more than gas money. “If they want to pay me, they pay me,” Jerklin said. “I tell them what I charge and I’m a lot cheaper than Uber, Lyft or the cabs... believe me. What I get paid, it barely keeps gas in my car. That’s about it.” Fortunately for Jerklin, Saving Mercy, which just won approval from Ocala to begin Phase 1 of construction on building 144 transitional and permanent housing units on the property, bends when it can. Sometimes, car repairs and other expenses cause Jerklin to fall short on rent. “Financially, I’ve been behind on rent and they’ve worked with me,”

Jerklin admits. “The car breaks down, I’d have to pay for that and then have to catch up on it the following month. Father Pat has helped me out with repairs on the car. I pay some of it, they pay part of it... Father Pat did.” Jerklin lives in one of the RVs provided by Saving Mercy. The group bought the nine-acre former motel and RV park in 2018. Jerklin previously lived in one of the motel rooms as well. Construction on Phase 1 could start by summer and will include 10 duplex units, a laundry facility and client service center. Eventually, the community will include a mix of duplexes, tiny houses and apartments. Saving Mercy operates under a “housing first” model, meaning it allows people to move in with fewer requirements. Once housed, a resident begins assessment for services, be it substance abuse or mental health treatment. For someone like Jerklin, the “housing first” model is just what he needed. “It’s hard to find affordable housing that doesn’t care about your evictions, doesn’t care about your background,” Heather O’Connor, a case manager at Saving Mercy explains.

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We could not let this year end without sending out a big thank you to those who have supported our efforts in the first year of the Ocala Gazette. Starting a newspaper while quality local journalism is on the decline nationwide—let alone during a global pandemic—was a risk, but our community has a need for reliable information. Large corporate news companies have little incentive to support local journalism when they profit more by recycling national news across many different newspaper platforms. For this reason, I share our Why? in starting the Ocala Gazette in the hope it becomes your reason for also supporting the cause. Our first goal was, and is, to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public and are not left unchallenged. We also will record the local history of our community so it can be recalled years from now. The Ocala Gazette team shows up to work every day mindful that we must provide value to you, our readers. In doing so, we deliver an engaged audience to our advertisers, who are the largest sustainers of local news and who enable us to deliver an important public service that keeps our community connected and a little safer. It is important to also acknowledge that the support of our advertisers helps us provide free digital content for those who might not have the means to pay for it. We’d like to continue providing free digital content for as long as we can because we believe access to reliable information should not be limited due to lack of money and that information can be a tool to overcome challenges.

See Saving Mercy, page 4

Some of you have been enjoying a complimentary copy of the Ocala Gazette in your mailbox each week. We ask that you consider supporting quality local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber or by making a one-time donation towards our efforts using the instructions below. As we head into the new year, we are proud to announce that two journalists with deep roots in the community have recently joined our team. Carlos Medina is our new managing editor. He was with the local daily paper for a number or years and has been a professional journalist in the area for more than 20 years. He has covered topics ranging from city and county government, to the hospital district and business and industry, and has a strong background in all things equine. Ainslie Lee, a recent graduate of the University of Florida, joins the team as associate editor. She has reported on sports for the Star-Banner for three years. She is a seventh-generation resident of Marion County. There is no doubt the community will enjoy Ainslie’s in-depth reporting on her first passion, which is sports, but she also has started showing us her ability to tackle more serious subjects, such as homelessness, opioid addiction and city government. We hope our content this year has brought the community together with reasons to celebrate, sympathize and debate our history in the making. I welcome hearing from you about our first six months of delivering the Ocala Gazette. I want to know your thoughts about whether we are meeting our mission. Please send an email to letters@ocalagazette. com to share your thoughts. Jennifer Hunt Murty, Publisher

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion County unemployment rate 6% in November Staff Report

arion County’s unemployment rate edged up to 6% in November even as the area add jobs, according to numbers from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The county’s rate rose from 5.6% in October and ended a string of declines dating back to July. A year ago, unemployment was 3.4%. The rate spiked earlier this year in the wake of the COVID-19 quarantines sending unemployment rates skyrocketing across the country. In Florida, the rate rose to a record 14.5% in May, according to DEO records. Locally, the November rate still beat the state’s 6.4% unemployment number

and overall, several Marion County industries managed to gain jobs. “November’s employment data shows a continued positive growth in Marion County, both on a monthly basis and yearly… However, the level of unemployment indicates a market, that while expanding, is not growing at the rate of new or re-entering employees searching for jobs,” said Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s CEO in a prepared statement. The Ocala metropolitan statistical area, which covers all of Marion County, grew government jobs at the fastest rate in the state at 11.5%. The area added 1,800 new jobs this year for a total of 17,400 government jobs. The area also had the fastest annual job growth rate statewide in trade, transportation, and utilities, adding more than 900 new

jobs for a total of 26,100. The local leisure and hospitality sector also added 200 new jobs and the mining, logging and construction segment grew by 400 jobs over the year. Industries losing jobs included professional and business services with 500 job losses and education and health services with 400 job losses. The number of Marion County residents in the labor force rose to 143,034 in November, but those employed numbered 134,455, leaving 8,579 unemployed. A month ago, the labor force was 141,736 with 134,041 employed and 7,695 unemployed. A year ago, the labor force was 138,518 with 133,766 employed and just 4,752 without a job. — Contact Carlos E. Medina at carlos@ocalagazette.com

Workers with Sema Construction grade the overpass under construction on Northeast 36th Avenue in this July file photo. Marion County’s unemployment rate increased in November, but some segments, like construction, posted job growth [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

From Saving Mercy, page 3

Photo by Meagan Gumpert

Though he was sober prior to coming to Saving Mercy, finding alternative housing solutions was an uphill climb for Jerklin with his criminal background. “Especially nowadays, nobody will take you,” Jerklin says. “I’ve been turned down too many times, I just got tired of it.” O’Connor, who also left Illinois to join Saving Mercy in November, says she is hoping to work with landlords in the area to help with the lack of affordable housing. “There are a lot of close landlords where I’m from in Illinois,” O’Connor says. “I could be nice to them and they’d be nice to my people. So I’m trying to build relationships with landlords now.”

Jerklin has about 150 neighbors which also call Saving Mercy home. Being able to offer his services to some gives him a purpose. He remembers how a board member for Recovery House served as his sponsor even through his 2014 incarceration. Now, celebrating eight years of sobriety, Jerklin hopes to be able to help others in their journey. “They have to want to. You can’t make anybody get better,” Jerklin says. “I can’t make anyone stop doing drugs. All I can do is talk to them. Just like my sponsor did to me.” One day, soon, he may have those talks at Saving Mercy’s new facilities. But for now, those talks happen in that 2001 Impala.

World Equestrian Center – events are free and open to the public –

WEC has a fantastic calendar of events scheduled. We are dedicated to offering great sport and fun in a family-friendly environment.

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DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala resident displays art for neighbors to enjoy

Leena Williams’ home showcases new and fun artwork each month. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

By Lisa McGinnes Ocala Gazette

n a quiet street in Ocala’s Woodfields neighborhood, one resident is drawing second looks at her mid-century home, which sits back on an expansive lawn amid towering oaks and palm trees. Leena Williams calls the plain wooden paneling on the front of her 1960s home very brutalist and squared off. The area currently features two large Christmas-themed artworks: A fuzzy donkey wearing a Santa hat and another of the Grinch’s long, green fingers holding an ornament. Growing up one street over, Williams said she admired the house with all the glass nestled among the trees.

When she moved in a few years ago, she and her sister, Diana, decided she needed to find a way to display art outside. “I like to drive up and have a pop of color,” Williams said. “My sister was like, ‘Everything in your house is like a museum; you should try to make the outside reflect a little bit more of your personality.’” The challenge was figuring out how to display art outdoors. The solution? Shower curtains. Williams stretches the lightweight fabric onto wooden frames. Her collection stands at around 24 – two for each month. “It’s themed to the month, but I would say they have a little bit of a statement attached,” Williams said. “It’s all about what you associate with that month or that holiday. I am an Ocala girl, born and raised here, fifth-generation

Ocalan on my dad’s side… I really care about wanting to highlight things that are Florida native or are in that vein.” In September, for Labor Day – alongside Rosie the Riveter – she displayed an image of Citra’s iconic Orange Shop. “Migrant farm laborers were one of the first labor unions to exist in the country,” she explained. “We have a citrus industry that is comprised of a lot of that kind of labor force. So you William’s current artwork on display outside her home. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] have your Rosie, and you have your ‘Wicked,’ which is about love to see more people Orange Shop, and no one the Wicked Witch of the doing it. Everybody would gets it. But it doesn’t matter West,” she noted. “And I like put up something different. because I get it, and I love all different kinds of the I would love to drive it,” she said with a laugh. arts. I often look for things around and see what other “But if you drive with a literary connection people do.” by, it can be a or a historical connection Williams, who said she little bit of a or some kind of academic dabbles in arts and crafts puzzle.” meaning.” but isn’t “shower-curtain With her love She orders many of the good,” said she is trying of fine art and shower curtains from the to give the neighborhood her background Society 6 website, which “something beautiful to as an English offers art printed on a wide look at.” teacher, Williams range of textiles and home “Art is really amazing can’t resist goods. and beautiful,” she displaying Like Oscar Wilde, remarked. “It’s thriving, images including Williams believes and I’m so proud of our famous Van “imitation is the sincerest community for prioritizing Gogh and Dalí form of flattery,” and she that. It’s about supporting works as well was touched when an the arts and supporting as her literary anonymous neighbor left the culture of where you collection. rocks painted to match her live. And it’s been such “For displayed art on her porch. a tough year. We can’t Halloween, When a couple down the connect physically right all of them street asked if they could now, so being able to drive were literary “steal her idea,” Williams by and just say, ‘that’s in nature, like encouraged them. a kindred spirit,’ can be Edgar Allan Poe “I was like, ‘go for it!’,” really powerful for people, I and the play she remembered. “I would think.”

Williams goes through her archives of previously-displayed artwork. The canvases are actually shower curtains that she orders online and then stretches around a frame. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

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DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala churches deal with Christmas services in the middle of a pandemic T

here’s a large, white tent set up on the lawn outside First Presbyterian Church of Ocala. Normally, services would be held inside the church’s sanctuary, but not this year. Instead, First Presbyterian’s Christmas Eve service will take place underneath the sprawling white canvas. Churches across the country have spent the year trying to figure out how to worship in the face of a pandemic. With Christmas Eve right around the corner, churches in Ocala have accepted that this won’t be a normal Christmas. Churches have spent most of the year online, but some are opening their doors for Christmas to those who want to attend in-person instead.

First Presbyterian Church of Ocala opted to move their Christmas Eve services to a tent service outside. The church’s session decided against a traditional indoor service inside the sanctuary. Instead, First Presbyterian Church of Ocala will be hosting a service at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. While candlelight services and communion are part of a “normal” Christmas Eve service, First Presbyterian will do neither. “We had done a test tent service trial run in November to see if this would be good for Christmas to do,” said Helen Quinlan, communications specialist for First Presbyterian. “You can go in the tent, and you can also drive your car up and around the tent and listen to the radio station. You’re able to see the service going

and listen to it live on the radio.” Mt. Zion AME Church also won’t be celebrating Christmas in-person this year. They will have prayer, but the church celebrated Christmas on Sunday virtually. Mt. Zion has been doing Zoom services every Sunday throughout the pandemic.

“AdventHealth saved my life.”

Instead, the church also posted a video on its Facebook page of a virtual Christmas play. The young adults of the church went into homes while following CDC social distancing guidelines, filmed segments and put it all together into one video. “They definitely told the scene that Santa Claus is out there, but what is most important is what God has done for us by giving us his son,” Reverend Rhella Murdaugh said. “I thought that was a powerful piece they put together.” First Baptist Church of Ocala will still be having their traditional worship services at 4:00 and 6:00 on Christmas Eve. Drivein worship will also be available on the church’s softball field, though it will be the last time the church will do that. Every other pew will

be blocked off to maintain social distancing, and everyone who lives in the same house is recommended to sit on the outside of each row. Everyone will enter through the same entrance and be directed on when to leave. Masks are not required. Church at the Springs is also offering 12 inperson services across their three campuses between Dec. 22 and Christmas Eve just to meet the demand for in-person worship. Attendance requires a reservation ahead of time, and almost all the services are full as of Tuesday afternoon. Blessed Trinity Catholic Church will have a midnight mass on Christmas Eve and then 7:10, 8:45, 11:00 and 5:00 services on Christmas Day. There will also be a Spanish service at 1 p.m.

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By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

When Al experienced chest pain and numbness in his jaw, his wife, Jan, suspected it was more than heartburn. They rushed to an AdventHealth ER where Al was quickly diagnosed and treated for a serious heart attack, giving him a second chance at life. Find one of AdventHealth’s network of convenient, full-service ER locations at TheERExperts.com.

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DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Feeding the hungry is her calling By Lisa McGinnes Ocala Gazette

very day of the year, hundreds of homeless and hungry people line up for a free lunch at Brother’s Keeper soup kitchen near downtown Ocala. The meal they receive is lovingly prepared by a team of volunteers, led by Sister Concepta Najjemba. “Hey, nun!” they sometimes call to her. “Hi,” Sister Concepta replies with a smile that comes from believing she is the one who benefits most from helping the needy. “I thank God every day,” she said. “They know I am here to serve them, and I know that it’s God’s work.” The petite nun in her 70s runs the soup kitchen – a ministry of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church – with ease. But 20 years ago, she admits to being out of her element. “I never cooked. I’m a professor, not a cook,” she said with a laugh. She holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate. She spent the first 30 years of her sisterhood as a teacher moving up from teaching grade school to university. But she and two fellow nuns from the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix in Uganda were invited to Ocala by Blessed Trinity Pastor Fr. Pat Sheedy to assist with the church’s school. The two other sisters soon began work at the school. But Sister Concepta took a different path. “Because the greatest

need was the soup kitchen, I chose to come to the soup kitchen even though I could teach anything,” she said. When she first arrived in 2000, the facility was feeding around 40 people a day, with two or three volunteers serving up canned soup and a piece of bread to people who ate standing up. She knew she needed more helpers with cooking experience and enough donated food to serve the needy a proper meal. While teaching Sunday school, she met mothers who knew how to cook and had community connections. They helped her solicit food donations from area businesses. “Publix responded quickly,” Sister Concepta said. “So we could get bread. We could get all the goodies, doughnuts, pies. We started updating our menu. And instead of opening the cans and dumping it in the pot, we started making real good soup.” The volunteer cooks taught her to start with carrots, onions and celery. The French call the combo mirepoix, and it’s the base for dozens of soups. “When I cook, that’s all I start with, without knowing what I’m going to cook,” she said. “I start with celery, onions and carrots. And it works.” As donations increased, the menu expanded to casseroles and salads. Clients increased to 200-300 a day. But after COVID-19 restrictions started in March, they stopped serving hot meals in the small dining room, switching to

Sister Concepta Najjemba, who has been running Brother’s Keeper Soup Kitchen for the past 20 years, left, and Rosemary Reilly, right, who has volunteered there for 11 years, prepare Thanksgiving dinners to be given to homeless and needy people at Brother’s Keeper Soup Kitchen. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

sandwiches and snacks in brown bags. Still, about 150 people show up each day and get two sandwiches – one meat and cheese and the other peanut butter and jelly – a piece of fruit, crackers, cookies and a bottle of water. “We put our love in those,” Sister Concepta said. She misses serving hot, home-cooked food, but even more, she misses sitting down and talking with the clients. She listened to their stories and prayed with them. “It is a blessing to be able to help another person,” she said. “Because even though we get so tired working, when you go to sleep, you feel lucky. You know you made somebody survive for the day. What the volunteers are learning, they are doing

Kent Weakley, right, and Sister Concepta Najjemba, left, planning the Thanksgiving meals that were prepared for the homeless, at Brother’s Keeper Soup Kitchen. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

it in the place of Jesus.” Sister Concepta is grateful to the volunteers. George Margitan, who has volunteered every Monday for the past 10 years, called Sister Concepta an angel. “I get more out of it than I put in because it’s helping other people,” Margitan said. “I’m retired, and my wife’s passed away, so I’ve got nothing but downtime, and this helps me.” Sister Concepta tells volunteers: “If you are here to help me, you’d better go. Because you are helping Jesus to serve, so it’s not me. I need help, of course. But it is the work of God. And we are very blessed.” When she runs into a colleague or grad school classmate, many of whom are serving in high-ranking

positions within the church, Sister Concepta lets them know that she thanks God every day for the soup kitchen. “I say this is a blessed place to be, and I thank God every day for giving me this blessing. All the volunteers are my brothers, my sisters. It’s really a very, very nice family here. It’s a little heaven for me.” For more information about the Brother’s Keeper Soup Kitchen, visit bkocala.org/ soup-kitchen. Located at 435 NW Second St., they serve lunch at 12 noon, 365 days a year. Donations of sliced meat and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, mayonnaise and mustard are currently needed and are accepted between 8 – 11:30 a.m.

Rod Gauthier, Tom Olson, Rosemary Reilly and Cathy Grosh, left to right. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Current adoption special: Twelve Paws of the Holidays All pet adoptions in December are only $12 View more adoptable pets at www.marioncountyﬂ.org/animal. Adoption price includes up-to-date vaccinations, county license, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.

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DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion County School COVID-19 Report: Dec. 11-17, 2020 Marion County Public Schools reported 98 total cases of COVID-19 between Dec. 11-17, according to a report by the school system. Of those testing positive, 57 were students while 41 were employees. The cases were confirmed by the Florida Department of Health. A total of 805 students and employees were quarantined as a result of direct contact to a COVID-19 cases. Those quarantined included 730 students and 75 employees, according Marion County schools. The cases and quarantines affected 37 school facilities in the county, including Anthony Elementary, Belleview Elementary, Belleview High, Belleview Middle, Dr. N. H. Jones Elementary, Dunnellon Elementary, Dunnellon

High, Dunnellon Middle, Eighth Street Elementary, Exceptional Student Education Food Service Department, Forest High, Fort McCoy School, Greenway Elementary, Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary, Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, Howard Middle, Lake Weir Middle, Legacy Elementary, Liberty Middle, Maplewood Elementary, Marion Charter, Marion Oaks Elementary, Marion Virtual, North Marion High, North Marion Middle, Oakcrest Elementary, Osceola Middle, Ocala Springs Elementary, Saddlewood Elementary, South Ocala Elementary, Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary, Sunrise Elementary, Technical Services Department Transportation Department, Vanguard High, and West Port High.

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DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Holiday with the Herd pairs up artists and patrons A special event on Dec. 17 introduced the artists who will paint the Horse Fever 20/20 Anniversary Herd of equine statues.

to be in the house.’” She estimates she will work on her design roughly five hours a day. “It’s acrylic paint, so it will dry fast,” she noted. “It’s a landscape. One side is the swampy area at Silver River (Springs) State Park, and the other side is Scott Springs, a beautiful area. And I want to put some of those immature ibis that are See Horse Fever, page 11 running all over town.” Her first horse was Ocali Sun, which is in Maryland. Her second was Old Ocala, featuring historic venues that no longer exist. It remains on a horse farm in town. “We’re so excited to see the artists match up with their donors and their horses. I can’t wait to see what they bring back,” stated Laurie Zink, cochair of Horse Fever 20/20 with Jo Salyers. “And I also am really happy to see that the community is excited again and they have been so supportive and so wonderful.” Zink said a VIP reveal of the painted horses will take place Feb. 8, with a public reveal set for Feb. 11, both at Horse Fever 20/20 artist Peggy Watts, right, looks over horses with Esta Mann, Transformco. left, during the Horse Fever 20/20 Holiday With the Herd event at the Trans“It will be hugely formco warehouse. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 15 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

WORD FIND Off to court Solution: 15 Letters

here was no reining in the excitement at the Horse Fever 20/20 “Holiday with the Herd” event, held Dec. 17 to showcase the artists and their patrons. The event, hosted by the Marion Cultural Alliance, was held at the official “stable” for the endeavor, which is the Transformco warehouse on Southwest 52nd Avenue. The 15-horse “Anniversary Herd” arrived via semi on Dec. 10 from Chicago. The first Horse Fever public art project was launched in 2000, followed by Horse Fever in Motion in 2005 and Horse Fever II in 2011. The initial Horse Fever was the seed for formation of the alliance, which has since given more than $350,000 in grants to artists and organizations. The Horse Fever 20/20 artists are Gary Borse, Tyrus Clutter, Bonnie Eades, Michell K. Farrar, Carlynne Hershberger, Christopher Hershberger, Mark Hershberger, Gene Hotaling, Esta Mann, Ronda

Richley, Christian Stanley, Paul Ware, Margaret Watts and Maggie Weakley. The patrons include CenterState Bank; Cone Distributing, Inc; On Top of the World Communities, LLC.; Diane Palmer; Showcase Properties of Central Florida; Syndicate (Advent Health Ocala, Angie Lewis State Farm, Ausley Construction, Duke Energy, HDG Hotels, Navros and Azim Saju, Jo Salyers, Raney’s, Inc., Neighborhood Storage); and The David & Lisa Midgett Foundation; as well as three anonymous donors. The artists were selected through a competitive call. Jurors selected the designs from more than 50 submissions. The artists have six weeks to complete their creative process. Margaret Watts, who is widely known for her landscapes and paintings of historic venues all around the area, is painting a Horse Fever horse for the third time. She said she is eager to begin. “I’m excited, I’m really excited,” she said. “I have told all the neighborhood kids, ‘You have to come see Miss Peggy’s horse. It’s going

and, hopefully, have events with the cancer society maybe.” Artist Maggie Weakley also is doing a horse for the third time. Her patron is Diane Palmer. “I did Horse-fly and then I did Celeste and now I’m doing Kind Hearted. It’s a horse filled with children of all different races and Diane says it is going into this camp for kids that have medical problems, and it’s free for them, so she wants me to add kids without any hair and different disabilities,” Weakley stated. “And all the children have T-shirts on with kind words. I’m really honored.” In one poignant moment during the event, Zink introduced members of the Hershberger family, several of whom are former or current Horse Fever artists. Zink teared up as she spoke about the late artist MaryLee Hershberger, 83, who died Dec. 6, after a short bout with COVID-19. Zink introduced her husband, Floyd, owner of B-J Trophies, their son Mark and his wife Carlynne,

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By Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Gazette

socially distanced, room for everyone to see them. It will be here, in the parking lots, so everyone will have ample distancing and space,” she noted. Jaye Baillie, executive director of the Marion Cultural Alliance, said that Valerie Dailey, of Showcase Properties of Central Florida, “was the first person who picked up the phone and said I want to be a part of Horse Fever 20/20.” “She picked a beautiful design and we’re so excited,” Baillie added. “We are paired with Paul Ware and he is doing the cancer horse called Hope,” Dailey said. “Paul did a lot of research because there are so many different color ribbons and he wanted this to be a symbol of hope for anyone who has any type of cancer,” Baillie explained. “We’re excited to help spread the word about the arts in Marion County,” Dailey added. “We’re going to do a blog about the whole process, get pictures with the artist as he progresses, spread the word, and then have people come and visit the horse once it’s installed

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Environmentalists concerned as Florida takes control of wetlands construction permits By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the state of Florida sole control over construction permits in protected wetlands, and environmentalists are concerned about the consequences. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection would handle the process of permitting instead of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA. Agricultural director Nikki Fried disagreed with the decision. “Both the DeSantis and Trump administrations have demonstrated a disregard for transparency and disinterest in protecting our waters,” she said in a release. “Those concerned with Florida’s environment have no reason to believe the State of Florida is prepared to manage critical wetlands permitting in a transparent, apolitical manner. Locally, it could impact undeveloped wetlands across Marion County. Some are concerned about what it could to Florida’s water supply and the animals that inhabit the wetlands. “I feel just appalled,” Felburn Foundation Executive Director Guy Marwick said. “It’s one more nail in the coffin

of protecting our water resources. “Even isolated wetlands are critical to many species of animals that live in Marion County,” he said. “Isolated wetlands, where frogs and toads and salamanders and musk turtles, etc. might live, are important, they play a role.” “It is a dangerous mistake for Administrator Wheeler, on the Trump administration’s way out the door, to strip this authority from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and hand it off to an underfunded, understaffed state agency.” Critics are concerned that the FDEP doesn’t have the funding or resources to handle the permitting process. Only two states, New Jersey and Michigan, have been given this authority in 43 years. “The Florida Department of Environmental Protection doesn’t have the capacity to take over the wetlands permitting that has been run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for decades,” Deborah Foote, deputy chapter director for Sierra Club Florida. “It can’t even manage to enforce the environmental laws already under its purview.” Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, permits are necessary before dredged or fill material into waters. The transition to FDEP handling those permits will begin immediately.

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DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Horse Fever, page 9 and grandson Christopher. Mark Hershberger created the Horse Fever horse Clockwork Fury, which is the official anniversary ambassador for Horse Fever 20/20, and which is owned by Brent and Crystal Fernung of Journeyman Bloodstock. The horse is currently on an “international tour,” Zink told those gathered. “This year, due to the pandemic and so many charities having a hard time, Journeyman has graciously donated Clockwork Fury back to the program,” Zink said. “He will sell as the last hip number on the first day of the March sale at OBS (Ocala Breeders’ Sales) in live auction. His proceeds, in the spirit of all the horses in Horse Fever, will benefit MCA and all of its grant programs, and the Florida Thoroughbred Charities, in particular the Second Chances Farm at the women’s prison, where the ladies learn to take care of the horses as part of their rehabilitation. There is only a 3 percent recidivism rate—3 percent—with that program.” Clockwork Fury will go

up for sale on March 17, with proceeds to benefit the Florida Thoroughbred Racing Foundation’s Second Chances Farm at the Lowell Correctional Institution and the Florida Thoroughbred Charities Youth Scholarship Programs. A news release from the alliance noted that “HF 20/20 is brought to you by Marion Cultural Alliance and Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. In the spirit of the Horse Fever Public Art Project, first launched in 2001, funds raised through HF 20/20 will benefit the ability of Marion Cultural Alliance to fund grants, support local arts and community nonprofits and ensure the continued growth of our endowment.” “This new herd is a phenomenal way to celebrate MCA’s 20th anniversary as well as add new public art to our community,” Salyers noted in the release. There will be several opportunities for the public to see the Horse Fever 20/20 herd. To learn more, go to mcaocala.org/ hf-2020.

Artist Maggie Weakley, right, and Diane Palmer, left, a sponsor, stand in front of the horse that Weakley will be painting. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, right, and Louisa Barton, the director of Equine Initiative for the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership, left. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

From Relief Funds, page 1 Management (FDEM), which administers CARES Act funding for the state. The agreement specified the funds should go to municipalities, organizations, businesses and individuals on a reimbursement basis. The agreement set forth the county’s priorities to allocate the money for grants to small and large businesses; reimbursing local government expenses; emergency food-distribution; housing assistance programs; human services assistance for unmet needs; COVID-19 testing initiatives; reemployment job training; expanding broadband; and non-congregate shelter for those who must be quarantined. But there were no specifics governing how to divvy up funds in areas with smaller municipalities within the county in the agreement or in the Department of Treasury guidelines. The Florida Department of Emergency Management, the agency tasked with distributing the funds by the state, confirmed there were no guidelines for how counties should share relief funds with cities who had populations under 500,000. There is a formula, however, for splitting up the funds in areas with larger populations. The City of Ocala hopes that Federal and State Legislatures will weigh in on the matter in the future. In August, the commission approved agreements with the CEP, the Community Foundation and the United Way. Under all these contracts, money was not set aside for this purpose, but instead handled on a piecemeal basis. Organizations and/ or people would apply for grants through the CEP, Community Foundation or United Way, who would do an initial review of applications, and if approved, send them to county administration. If the county approved the application, it asked for the money from state and directed the Marion County Clerk of Court to issue the funds. After the Clerk’s committee review and approval of the application, money would be released to either the CEP or

Community Foundation who in turn would release it to the applicant in need. With a deadline of Dec. 3 to submit CARES Act projects for funding to the state, the race was on to get the word out in enough time to draw in applicants and go through the multiple reviews before Dec. 30. The original guidelines for spending the funds said the fund must go toward necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19; were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of the date of enactment (March 27, 2020); and were incurred during March 1 and Dec. 30.

• The United Way of Marion County was asked to administer $1 million for housing assistance. • The City of Ocala got $729,942 in reimbursements from the County. • Belleview got $77,723 in reimbursements. • Dunnellon got $56,466 in reimbursements.

Who got what More than $29 million is already spent or earmarked. The following is a break down of how much was reimbursed or allotted to each organization or municipality: • The county has already spent or earmarked $18.2 million for county expenses. If the state approves the county’s latest plan its share would stand at upwards of $45 million. • AdventHealth Ocala got nearly $11.8 million in two installments for reimbursable expenses from March through September. • The Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership was asked to administer $7.5 million in grants to businesses. • The Community Foundation for Ocala/ Marion County was asked to administer $6 million in relief funds to non-profits

How was the money spent? As of Dec. 22, Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO of the CEP, said they have already distributed about $6.5 million and have another $600,000 in applications waiting for approval. The Community Foundation funded $3.2 million in grants to nonprofits, and have another $1.1 million pending approval and funding, according to Lauren Deiorio, foundation president.

Scott Quintel, president of the United Way, was not able to distribute the 1 million in housing assistance due to difficult funding deadlines and “lack of capacity.” But thankfully points to distributing similar relief totaling approximately $600,000 to 350 households through a separate Marion County Services contract. This relief endeavor was no small fete explained Quintel, as it required setting up a new office, hiring five new staff members, and establishing guidelines. The City of Ocala used $442,498 of the $729,942 to reimburse itself for combined police, fire and non-first responder employee payroll expenses related to COVID-19, said Ashley Dobbs, Ocala spokeswoman. The rest went to reimburse the city for Personal Protection Equipment, sanitizing equipment, disinfectant supplies, UV lighting, and other expenses. City of Belleview submitted reimbursement expenses for PPE, sanitizer and disinfectants. Some of the money also reimbursed them for signs, equipment and software as well as air quality devices for city buildings, said Donna Morse, Belleview’s deputy financial director. City of Dunnellon spent $11,034 of the total $54,509.23 reimbursed by the County on PPE, and equipment and software to help them hold socialdistanced public and city meetings. AdventHealth Ocala did not immediately provide a breakdown on how it spent the nearly $11.8 million in CARES funding. Richelle Hoenes-Ahearn, an AdventHealth spokeswoman, said the money and other

stimulus funding helped cover a significant portion of the hospital’s projected COVID-19-related losses. At the county, their more than $18.2 million is spread among different county departments. It should be noted that the Marion County Sheriff Office reimbursement was reduced almost in half from the prior reporting, for a total of $771,136. The county did not provide a detailed breakdown per department. But the report did list vendors who received payment from the funds for services or equipment rendered. The biggest recipient was Dinkins Construction, LLC, which received $3,240,721 with two separate descriptions for “sliding storefront entry door” and what seems to be Marion County “Video Conferencing Infrastructure.” Johnson Laux Constrction, LLC, received $2,389,456 for work done at multiple county building and park locations. The county spent $385,300 with Staples for Moonbeam UV light equipment. Starke Motorcars, LLC sold the county one 2020 Chevy Silverado, two Community Service Litter Vans/Solid Waste, and a 2020 Chevrolet Express Passenger for a total of $137,525 Six more vehicles were purchased from Karl Flammer Ford, Inc., all 2020 Ford Transit Vans, for a total of $235,482. At least $144,848 were identified in tourism related products. $18,300 for a “platform license” for the Visitors Bureau. $4,000 was paid to Bandwango for Annual License Fee on behalf of the Visitors & Convention Center and another $1,000 for “marketing branding socially distant outdoor saving.” $121,548 was paid to Paradise Advertising & Marketing, the marketing firm of the Visitor Bureau, usually reimbursed by the bed tax. Use this link to view a full copy of the county’s December 21st Revenue & Expenditure Report CARES Act expenditures: https://bit. ly/34Eq0sV

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Forest falls to providence after oddity-filled week By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

t’s been a weird week for Forest basketball. When Spencer Ashley and the Wildcats went to practice on Saturday morning, they were greeted with a dark gym. “We practiced at Belleview on Saturday, so that’s always weird” Ashley said. “We realized we didn’t have power in the gym, so we had to scramble and Coach Small and Coach Hoffman got us in. So that wasn’t a great practice.” A string of lackadaisical practices, paired with the approaching holiday, distractions riddled the Wildcats as they fell to the visiting Providence School Stallions (Jacksonville) on Tuesday night. The Stallions, which were led by senior Jack Dillard, came out scoring quickly. Dillard, who finished the night with 17 points, knocked down three shots from beyond the arc. Ashley, who scouted the Stallions last Friday, was shocked by their shooting success in Forest’s 41-26 loss. “I didn’t expect them... even when I saw them, they didn’t shoot it as well as they did tonight,” Ashley said. “Theys shot it really, really well. And I probably didn’t expect them to shoot it as well as they did.” In addition to its success scoring,

Providence also utilized its lanky roster to take away a lot of Forest’s opportunities on offense. The Wildcats’ 26 points on Tuesday night were the least they’ve scored in a game all season. “Jim Martin is such a good coach,” Ashley said of Providence’s head coach, who has played a role in developing over 30 college players. “Somebody gave him some film so he saw something, and he exploited us pretty good. He just did a really good job of sitting in that zone.” Forest junior Brenen Lorient found creative ways to score for the Wildcats, despite the Stallions’ gritty defense. Lorient’s 12 points led the score sheet for Forest, but according to Ashley, the 6-foot-8 forward was far from satisfied following the loss. “You don’t like to see kids happy after a loss,” Ashley remarked. “He’s not like that. He’s mad. And I like a mad Brenen. You think I’m joking, but he wants to work out on Christmas. This guy is crazy. He wants to get better every day.” And while the Wildcats won’t be practicing on Christmas Day, Forest will return to action quickly. The Wildcats (7-2) will travel to The Villages Charter on Tuesday and Wednesday to take part in The Battle @ The Villages. Forest will draw Impact Christian Academy in the opening round of the tournament with a 3 p.m. tipoff. Forest’s Elijah Russell (3) looks for a way to the basket as he is defended by Providence’s J. lee Repass (35), Mason Lee (2) and Jaylen Robinson (31). [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Providence’s Jaylen Robinson (31) collides with Forest’s Josh Cuspard (10) on his way to the basket. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Forest’s Brenen Lorient (5) battles for a loose ball with Providence’s Seth Allen (1). [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Forest’s Guynn helps Wildcats mercy-rule The Villages By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

orest High forward Lauren Guynn found herself alone with just the goalkeeper to beat. Keeping her composure, she cooly slipped a low shot past the keeper into the back of the net. A cheer went up from the crowd, and Guynn went to celebrate with her teammates. That was a familiar scene at Forest High last Thursday night, as Guynn tallied five goals, including her 100th career goal. The

Wildcats quickly downed The Villages in an 8-0 mercy-rule victory. Forest improved to 7-0-1 on the season, while The Villages fell to 3-4. “She’s a special player,” Forest coach Mike Elliott said. “You get those players every so often. She’s a good kid. She’s always there.” Jenna Maiorino scored just a few minutes into the game, and things snowballed from there. Guynn scored three straight goals for Forest to give the Wildcats a 4-0 lead midway through the first half. Forest was relentless

in the first and only half of play. The Wildcats dominated possession and were always dangerous in the attacking third. Coming out of the break, The Villages’ next gaffe was self-inflicted. An own goal put Forest up 5-0, and it wasn’t long before Guynn notched her fourth goal of the night. Guynn then found herself on another breakaway a few minutes later and deposited her fifth goal of the game. Picabo Lesh joined in on the fun and scored Forest’s eighth goal of the night before the game came to an

end. It had been a tough week for Forest, who had nine players in quarantine due to COVID-19. “My message to them before the game was like, ‘Adversity is going to hit you in life, as in sports. And just, you know, you got to play your game and keep playing,’” said Elliott. “Everyone’s going through something like this. It’s 2020. But just keeping them focused and keeping them believing in themselves and just mainly that no one person is bigger than the team.”

Guynn has been one of the best scorers in Class 6A across the state this season. She was leading the entire class in goals with 23 in seven games before her five-goal night against The Villages. Forest faces Plant (Tampa) on Dec. 29, while The Villages’ next game is against Taylor (Pierson) on Jan. 7. “(We need to) just to not digress, to just keep moving forward and not let these two weeks, you know, lose a step,” Elliott said. “Trying to just keep going with what we’re building.”

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Hospital can vaccinate up to 300 per day From Vaccine, page 1 “So, I just want everyone to go out and make sure they try to get the vaccine. “It’s a very extraordinary thing we’re doing here. I would encourage everyone to try to get the vaccine, and hopefully this will help to slow the spread.” The health care workers on Tuesday received the Pfizer vaccine, which is 95% effective against COVID-19. The Pfizer vaccine requires two shots 21 days apart and must be stored in ultra-cold freezers. AdventHealth Ocala and Ocala Regional Medical Center also will administer Moderna’s version of the vaccine when it arrives. The hospital expects to have the Moderna vaccine available “very shortly,” said Dr. Doug Ross, clinical leader of the AdventHealth West Florida Division vaccine task force. They plan to administer

Rafick Black, a respiratory therapist, is given the COVID-19 vaccine at AdventHealth Ocala by Barbara Rabenda, a registered nurse, on Tuesday. He was the second health care worker at AdventHealth to receive the vaccine. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

whichever vaccine is available, Ross said. Ashley Jefferey, an AdventHealth spokeswoman, said they can vaccinate up to 300 team members a day. “Our vaccine task force is now preparing protocol and procedure for distribution of the Moderna vaccine,” Jefferey said in a text message. “We have received doses and look forward to continuing to protect our team members so we can keep them safe while caring for others.” The vaccine comes after another week of increased COVID-19 cases across the state. Florida surpassed the 1.2 million case mark last week and had a daily uptick in cases of at least 10,000 four times. Marion County has had 16,090 positive cases since the start of the pandemic, as of Monday afternoon. Over the last seven days,

the county reported a daily average of 165 cases and one COVID-19 related death. The positivity rate was 11.7%. “It’s painful to go through this process,” said Joe Johnson, AdventHealth Ocala president and CEO. “We’re almost at a year now of all these precautions. Don’t give up now. That fatigue is understandable. Everyone wants to get back to normalcy. “But we’ve got to break through that fatigue and keep it going until we can get this vaccination throughout the community.” In Florida, health care workers and residents at long-term care facilities are first in line for the vaccine. After that, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending frontline workers, including first responders and those older than 75, come next.

Dr. Michael Torres, the Chief Medical Officer for AdventHealth Ocala, carries a cooler with COVID-19 vaccinations into the building at AdventHealth in Ocala on Tuesday. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

COVID-19 vaccine summary

Data through Dec 21, 2020 at 11:59 PM and verified as of Dec 22, 2020 at 7:00 AM Data in this repo rt are provisional and subject to change. Data in this summary pertain to COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and have been issued an Emergency Use Authorization. These data summarize the number of people who have received either their first dose or have completed the series for a COVID-19 vaccine. A person can only be counted in one category, first dose or series complete.

Overview of COVID-19 vaccinations in Florida

Demographic summary

COVID-19 vaccinations

49, 932

First dose

49, 932

Series complete

Fi rst dose - received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. Seri es com plet e - received all recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully immunized.

Immunization status

First dose

Series complete

Total

49, 932

4 9 ,9 3 2

147

1 47

Black

3 , 802

3, 802

White

2 9, 499

29, 499

Other

9 , 271

9, 271

Unknown

7 , 213

7, 213

49, 932

4 9 ,9 3 2

Race American Indian/Alaskan

Other race includes Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or Other.

Up to date

49, 932

Age group

Overdue

16-24 years

1 , 254

1,254

Series complete

25-34 years

1 0, 338

10, 338

35-44 years

1 1, 357

11, 357

45-54 years

1 0, 982

10, 982

55-64 years

1 0, 089

10, 089

65-74 years

3 , 740

3, 740

75-84 years

1 , 204

1, 204

968

49, 932

4 9 ,9 3 2

Female

2 8, 691

28,691

Male

2 1, 067

21, 067

174

I mm uniz ati on st atus - status of each person who has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Up to date - describes those who have received their first dose and have not passed the recommended timeframe for their second dose. Overdue - describes those who have received their first dose and have passed the recommended timeframe to receive their second dose. Seri es compl ete - describes those who have received all recommended doses to be considered fully immunized.

85+ years Gender

Unknown

First dose of the COVID-19 vaccine The number of people who received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the past 14 days.

10,135

12/8

12/9

12/10

12/11

12/12

12/13

12/14

12,922

13,662

3,831

2,596 12/15

12/16

Date (12:00 am to 11:59 pm)

12/17

12/18

12/19

1,952 12/20

4,806

12/21

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Historic District holiday decorating contest Hiers-Baxley Community Care team, led by Leena Williams, sponsored the first Ocala Historic District & Woodfields Christmas Decorating contest and announced the winners on Monday afternoon. Featuring five different categories with an entry fee of $25 for each category, the contest raised over $1,500 for Marion County’s National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Piggybacking off the Historic Ocala Preservations Society’s decorating contest, Williams, who lives in the Woodfields area herself, wanted to introduce a decorating contest that would feature not only historic homes, but other homes in the area. Following the success this time around, Williams assured that the contest will return in 2021, with a separate contest in October for Halloween.[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

The Wells home, which won the Best In Show award.

Cameron Wells, 6, holds the Best In Show award.

Leena Williams of Hiers-Baxley Community Care, right, and Summer Gill of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), second from right, surprise Cody Mansfield, second from left, and his friend, Nathaniel Rosneck, left, with the Most Extravagant award.

The home that was awarded with the Best Tree award.

FWC proposes change to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease in deer Florida except for deer originating in Alabama or Georgia, provided certain requirements are met.” Currently, hunters may import carcasses from anywhere in Florida’s bordering states, assuming they have an importation permit. The proposed change now makes it necessary that the Florida state line run through the property in which the deer was harvested. “The draft rule amendment approved at FWC’s December meeting does not include the option

to import whole deer or highrisk parts from properties in Georgia or Alabama, unless the property is bisected by the Florida state line and is under the same ownership,” the release states. The FWC has been testing Florida’s deer population for CWD since 2002. To date, the disease has yet to make its way to the Sunshine State. However, the disease has been detected in Mississippi and Tennessee, among 24 other states. According to the FWC, “The abnormal proteins

or prions that cause CWD can be transmitted through direct animal-to-animal contact as well as indirectly through contact with the saliva, urine, feces, blood and carcass parts of an infected animal. It can even spread through soil. Leaving CWD infected carcasses or carcass parts on the land can contaminate the soil and the CWD prions are capable of infecting other deer for years.” The approved proposal will be re-evaluated by the Commission in February for final consideration.

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the FWC proposes that importing whole carcasses or other high-risk parts from the deer family from outside the state be prohibited. The FWC suggested that the only exception be for deer harvested from property in Georgia or Alabama in which the Florida state line bisects. According to the FWC’s release, currently, FWC Executive Order 19-41 “prohibits importing or possessing whole carcasses and high-risk parts from all members of the deer family from any place outside of

By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

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DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Now -1/2

Community Astronaut Academy

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm Kids of all ages learn about space travel with hands-on exhibits exploring the space station, Mars rover and rockets. mydiscoverycenter.org

Now Christmas Holiday Tour -12/30

12/28 Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission

McPherson Government Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave. 5:30pm The Planning & Zoning Commission conducts hearings for zoning changes and special use permits. Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

County Development Review Committee Staff 12/31 Marion Meeting

Office of the County Engineer Bldg 1 Conference Room, 412 SE 25th Ave. 8:30am Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with county review staff prior to meeting formally with the Development Review Committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Grandview Clydesdale Farm 6-7:30pm Evening guided tours get up close and personal with the majestic Grandview Clydesdales at their farm decorated with holiday lights. Offered Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Visit grandviewclydesdales.tours for tickets and more information.

12/26 Christmas Train -27

Kirby Family Farm, 19630 NE 30th St., Williston 6-10pm View the farm’s thousands of Christmas lights from a train pulled by a 100-year-old locomotive and ride the 1950 Ferris wheel and Italian carousel. Admission includes a visit with Santa, petting zoo and magic show. Visit kirbyfarm.com for more information.

12/26

Ocala Downtown Market

Southeast Third Street and Southeast Third Avenue 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, arts and crafts, rain or shine. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 25

5pm Indigo

Spanish Springs Town Square

5pm Dance Express

Lake Sumter Landing Market Square

5pm Earthbeat

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 5-7pm The CEP’s entrepreneurship-focused diversity and inclusion initiative, Impact, will host a holiday reception. RSVP required to jim@ocalacep.com.

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience of community entrepreneurs. Email ryan@ocalacep.com for more information.

Brownwood Paddock Square

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. 10am-5pm A new solo exhibition featuring artwork by Alma Lugo depicting her life as a Puerto Rico native living in the diaspora. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Visit fb.com/mcaocala for more information.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 10am-5pm Thursday-Saturday; 12-5pm Sunday A mixed media exhibition featuring the theatrical landscapes of Christian Duran. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

5pm Caribe Groove

6pm Heather Lynne

6pm 3 For the Road Plus 1

7pm Sam Hill

9pm Side Piece

3pm The Big Bad

Mid-Century Tourism on the Silver River

Now -1/3

The Art of Adventure

Now -1/15

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 10am-5pm Thursday-Saturday; 12-5pm Sunday An exhibition featuring Bruce Mozert’s iconic Silver Springs photographs plus ephemera from Silver Springs and Paradise Park. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 10am-5pm Thursday-Saturday; 12-5pm Sunday The serigraphs of 1970s artist Clayton Pond highlighting his “Leisure-time Obsessions Series.” Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

5pm Rocky & the Rollers

5pm Ampli-Fires

12/29 Teaching Tuesday: Bottle Cap Creatures

5pm Steelhorse

12/28

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee

Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 9am Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

5pm Rick Melvern Band Spanish Springs Town Square

9pm DJ Karim Pi on Broadway

9pm Black Sheep First & Last Tab

9:30pm Dueling Pianos The Lodge

Brownwood Paddock Square

Government

8pm Opry Band Celebration Orange Blossom Opry

Lake Sumter Landing Market Square

8pm Caly & Megan The Keep Downtown

Spanish Springs Town Square

5pm Justin Heet Band

5pm Blue Stone Circle Spanish Springs Town Square

Brownwood Paddock Square

5pm Johnny Wild & the Delights Lake Sumter Landing Market Square

The Club at Candler Hills

27 Appleton Museum-virtual 10-10:30am The Appleton Museum presents a live streaming art project that the whole family can make at home with basic art and craft supplies. Online at fb.com/appletonmuseum.

5pm Nate

5pm The Hooligans Brownwood Paddock Square

World Equestrian Center

Florida: Explored

City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration, 828 NE Eighth Ave. 9am-5pm Ocala artist Dan McCarthy’s exhibition includes pieces created during his exploration of Indian Lake State Forest, a hidden gem in Marion County, capturing the mood and feeling of this wild space. Open Monday-Friday. Call (352) 629-8447 for more information.

4pm Jeff Jarrett

5pm Street Talk Spanish Springs Town Square

Gator Joe’s

Now -1/3

5pm Chasing Amy Brownwood Paddock Square

Pi on Broadway

5pm Uncle Bob’s Rock Shop Lake Sumter Landing Market Square

The Corkscrew

5pm The Mudds The Club at Candler Hills

Circle Square Commons

5pm Think Big Band Lake Sumter Landing Market Square

Ocala Downtown Square

Hinterlands

The Spaces Between

5pm Penta

5pm Southbound Spanish Springs Town Square

Spanish Springs Town Square

26 City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. 8am-5pm Artist Megan Welch, a portrait painter and educator who lives in Northeast Florida, has created an exhibition of portraits in oil and graphite that portray the stories of those navigating the temporal nature of life, the unknown and the human condition. Open Monday-Friday. Call (352) 629-8447 for more information.

Lake Sumter Landing Market Square

Arts

Now Explosion of the Flamboyans -12/30

5pm Clark Barrios Band Brownwood Paddock Square

Now -1/3

5pm Trip 19

Impact Holiday Reception

12/30 1 Million Cups Ocala

Now -1/1

4pm Heather Lynne World Equestrian Center

Brownwood Paddock Square

12/29

5pm Blonde Ambition

5pm Bobby Blackmon & the B3 Band Lake Sumter Landing Market Square

News in Brief Black History Mural guide available The City of Ocala announced the release of an educational guide about the Ocala Black History Mural, located at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex. Funded through the Levitt Foundation Community Bridge Grant, the guide is a collaborative project between the city, the Marion Cultural Alliance, College of Central Florida and Marion County Public Schools. The guide includes historical and artistic narratives describing the mural’s 27 panels which all depict significant moments of Ocala’s Black history. The mural, originally completed in 2005, was restored recently as part of the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series, a 10-week grant funded music series also supported through the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation, which takes place at Webb Field, each April through June. The series is scheduled to return April 17 through June 25, 2021. For information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Department at 352-629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org.

Marion Theatre gets Duke Energy grant Ocala’s Marion Theatre announced that Duke Energy will provide funding for a program to promote literacy. The grant will support the Marion County Literacy Council and The Friends of the Ocala Public Library, according to a press release. The 6-month initiative launches in January. The Marion Theatre, which is managed by the Reilly Arts Center, will hold a movie-event each month featuring a literary-based film. During the event, a nonprofit will be featured and guests will be invited to bring in-kind donations, such as books, notebooks, or cash-only gift cards. Guests also will be able to make cash donations at the Marion Theatre concession. Additionally, Duke Energy will sponsor a monthly family film and provide complimentary popcorn for guests to those films. In-kind donations also will be accepted at these films. Film events, sponsored by Duke Energy will take place on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Upcoming dates and films include: Thursday, Jan. 21: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Supporting the Marion County Literacy Council Thursday, Feb. 18: - The Color Purple Supporting Friends of the Ocala Public Library Thursday, March 18: - Ready Player One Supporting the Marion County Literacy Council

County says political signs must go Marion County’s Code Enforcement Office is reminding all Marion County residents that all political advertisements must be taken down within two weeks after the conclusion of a general election. As a public service, all political advertisements located within county rights-of-way will be removed and disposed of by Marion County Code Enforcement officers. Those who fail to take down political signs located on private property will receive violation notices from Marion County Code Enforcement officers and will be brought before the Code Enforcement Board for potential legal action if they choose not to comply. For information, contact Marion County’s Code Enforcement Office at 352-671-8900 for assistance.

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

Church grant to help fund computer lab at Farm Ministry By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

cala’s Grace Episcopal Church, located at 510 S.E. Broadway St., has been awarded a total of $10,000 in grant funds for its mission to address racial disparities caused by Covid-19, the church announced. Grace was awarded $7,000 from the Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community Rapid Response Grant, with the other $3,000 coming from the David and Lisa Midgett Foundation, a Marion County based organization that focuses on supporting the arts. “This money will fund the vision of Grace Episcopal Church to outreach to the immigrant community in Marion Country, in partnership with the Ocala Farm Ministry, affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Grace Episcopal said in a release. “The grants will fund projects at the

Ocala Farm Ministry that will address the educational gap in the immigrant community, a gap that has widened since the beginning of the pandemic.” According to Grace, with many students taking part in distant learning this year, the church will use the money to fund the vision of building a computer lab in the neighborhood colloquially known as “little Mexico” on the west end of Ocala. The computer lab will focus on bringing internet access to the area’s students, along with the hardware and software that the education system has demanded through the Coronavirus pandemic. The computer lab will also help strengthen tutoring programs that are already in place, the release states. “We are excited to partner with the Ocala Farm Ministry and with Chaplain Bob Miller,” Fr. Daniel of Grace Episcopal Church said. “These grants will allow us to partner with a known

organization that has already deep roots in the immigrant community. We are thankful to God who has graciously provided through these grants from the Episcopal Church and The David and Lisa Midgett Foundation an opportunity to shorten the educational gap exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.” The computer lab will continue to follow CDC guidelines to ensure a safe learning environment for students, the release assures. “Most of the children we serve here were born here,” Miller said. “The children of farm immigrants will be part of our future and it is important that we invest in their future spiritually and educationally.” The Ocala Farm Ministry is always looking for volunteers, he says, especially those who are “willing to listen and bond with a child.” If interested in volunteering, please call Grace Episcopal Church at 352-6227881.

Governor Ron DeSantis makes judicial appointments, including the Fifth District Court of Appeal Staff Report

n December 18th, Governor Ron DeSantis announced six new judicial appointments, highlighting a record-setting year of appointments to the bench. In 2020, Governor DeSantis appointed 61 judges bringing his total number of

judicial appointments to 117. Particular of note for Marion County was the appointment of Mary Alice “Molly” Nardella, of Winter Garden, to serve as Judge on the Fifth District Court of Appeal. The Fifth District Court of Appeal hears appellate matters that arise from Marion County cases. Nardella has been a partner with Nardella & Nardella, PLLC

since 2017. She previously served as an Associate with Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell P.A. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. Nardella fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Justice Jamie Grosshans to the Supreme Court.

obligations. We would not be a responsible government entity if we did no have set-asides for future liabilities,” Batsel said. Using the sources outlined by the court could hurt the same people eligible for a refund. The court should allow those people a chance to weigh in, the city argues. The case dates back to 2014 when Discount Sleep of Ocala LLC and Dale W. Birch filed a lawsuit challenging the fee. In 2006, Ocala began bundling the fee into utility bills to pay for

Ocala Fire Rescue services. The city felt it was more equitable to spread the cost among most city residents and not just onto property owners. Since the ruling, the city is moving forward on assessing an annual tax on residential and commercial property owners to cover fire services. Cities typically file bankruptcy under Chapter 9. That type of bankruptcy would create a plan between the city and its creditors to resolve an outstanding debt.

From Fire Fee, page 1 rebates or repayments over time, according to court documents. As part of their ruling, the appeals court pointed to $400 million in city reserves as a possible source of repayment. The court also suggested the city could sell surplus land, issue bonds or raise taxes to repay the fees. But Rob Batsel, another attorney for the city, said the reserves already cover city commitments. “A large portion of the reserves is to pay future pension

Federal grant coming to Marion County drug court By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

arion County’s drug court recently received a $500,000 federal grant, which it hopes will help more people struggling with drug addiction. The Marion County Commission agreed to accept the award from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Misdemeanor and Felony Diversion Drug Court. The grant is spread out over three years and could reduce or eliminate the current cost of the program, which runs participants about $60 per month. Commissioner Kathy Bryant’s brother, Travis Nolan, died of a heroin overdose in 2016. She said the award hit close to home “That grant goes a long way, and it helps a lot of people,” Bryant said. “And I’m so proud of our drug court staff, our judges and our court system and everyone who makes that possible. And I’m proud to be a part of this team that supports that.” The program named an award in Nolan’s honor, which goes to one graduate of the program every year.

Marion County Judge Robert Landt helped kickstart the misdemeanor drug court program in Marion County almost a decade ago. “The reason that I got involved and kind of started it is the drug use is just a huge problem, obviously, for all of our society,” Landt said. “The people who have substance use issues, most of them can’t kick it on their own. Most of them need help. And as a result, many of them end up in the criminal justice system.” Florida statute 948.08 outlines the guidelines of such pretrial intervention programs such as Marion County’s adult pre-plea diversion drug court. Those with violent charges or those charged with dealing drugs are not eligible for the program. Applicants also cannot have more than two felony convictions. “They’re trying to target, here, people who haven’t had a lot of involvement with the criminal justice system,” Landt said. “It doesn’t mean they haven’t been involved in crime a long time. They just haven’t been caught or convicted of numerous crimes.” Marion County’s drug court programs assign participants a drug court coordinator, who monitors their progress. A

substance abuse evaluation and random drug screenings are also part of the program. Landt said, unless they are physically unable, participants also must find a job. “Our philosophy is, I guess, that we are trying to treat the whole person,” Landt says. “We’ve made sure that you get medical taken care of, we make sure you’re going to treatment. If there are co-occurring problems, meaning mental health issues and drug use issues, which there are many times, then we also coordinate and get the person help for any medical or mental health issues that might be there.” The felony drug program takes between a year to 18 months to complete. The misdemeanor program is shorter, Landt said. If successful, charges against the participant will be dismissed. These charges can include misdemeanors tied to the underlying addiction. “You can get those charges dismissed if you’re successful in the program,” Landt says. “And hopefully, you don’t have to steal stuff anymore because you’re no longer addicted, and when you have bad days, you know how to deal with it in other ways than illegal drugs.”

DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 , 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE

An outpouring of Christmas cheer at DeLuca DeLuca Toyota in Ocala held a large toy drive to help brighten Christmas for underprivileged kids across the area. The drive wrapped up recently when the dealership’s employees loaded dozens of new toys and other gifts into their vehicles and delivered them to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

The DeLuca Toyota team loads dozens of gifts, including a number of brand new bicycles, for delivery to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County on Thursday, Dec. 10.

DeLuca Toyota owner Frank DeLuca, helps Brie Cohen load toys into a packed vehicle during the annual toy drive at the dealership on State Road 200 in Ocala on Thursday, Dec. 10.

The DeLuca Toyota team loads dozens of gifts, including a number of brand new bicycles, for delivery to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County on Thursday, Dec. 10.

College of Central Florida receives gift from former Congressman By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

he College of Central Florida announced on Thursday that the College of Central Florida Foundation had received a gift of $269,919.01 from Cliff Stearns, the former representative of Florida’s sixth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. The money will be used to create the Friends of Cliff Stearns Endowed Chair, which will be an annual speaker series event at the college. The event would be open to everyone and

feature speakers from across the country on a wide variety of topics. “Research shows that students engaged with faculty, staff and peers who attend college events and presentations by guest speakers are more likely to be successful in their academic endeavors,” said Dr. Mark Paugh, vice president for Academic Affairs. “This new endowment will contribute significantly to CF’s student engagement plan.” Stearns represented Florida’s sixth congressional district, which used to include parts of Marion County before it was redistricted in 2013. He was in office

Answers for pages 8,9

from 1998 to 2012 and still has a residence in Ocala. Since leaving office, Stearns has worked as APCO Worldwide’s executive director and serves on their International Advisory Council. His wife, Joan, was the college’s vice president of institutional advancement before retiring in 2013. “I can’t say enough about the Honorable Cliff Stearns” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, college president. “Both he and his wife, Joan, have been huge supporters of the college. We are grateful for their generous gift, which will advance the learning environment for students at CF.”

Left to right, Dr. Mark Paugh, vice president of Academic Affairs; Honorable Cliff Stearns; Dr. Jim Henningsen; and Dr. Tammi Viviano-Broderick, dean of E-Learning and Academic Services

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