Ocala Gazette January 31, 2025 by Magnolia Media Company

Six more recent deaths in law enforcement custody come to light

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

The “Gazette” has obtained records for six more people who have died in the custody of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in recent months, bringing the total to 29 deaths within the past five years, according to records provided by law enforcement.

Annual PIT Count conducted

The survey is a census of the homeless who are sheltered and unsheltered in Marion County on a given day.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

In a Dodge van; in an abandoned house about to be leveled; bundled up in the woods in recent rain and freezing temperatures.

Those were typical of the answers given to the question, “Where are you sleeping tonight?” as it was asked during the 2025 HUD Point In Time Count, conducted locally on Jan. 23.

The PIT Count is a census and survey of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in Marion County at a specific point in time. The count is spearheaded by the Ocala/Marion County Joint Office of Homelessness Prevention.

Robin Ford, city of Ocala Deputy Director, Community Development Services, led about 20 counters for the 2025 survey, including personnel from Interfaith Emergency Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The volunteers broke into small teams and covered areas countywide, seeking people living unsheltered, to ask about their sleeping arrangements for the night of Jan.23.

The PIT Count is mandated every two years by HUD but is done here annually, according to Ford, who has spearheaded the PIT Count for four years.

“The camps are smaller and more spread out,” Ford said about the current trends in local homeless camps.

Several years ago, there were larger camps in the area, such as a sizable encampment on Northwest 10th Street in Ocala, and a camp with a camper, mobile home and tent on Southwest 38th Avenue, both of which have been dispersed. Ford said this was the first PIT

See PIT Count, page A2

As previously reported, the “Gazette” requested all reports for deaths in custody filed by MCSO to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. MCSO has provided documentation of 29 deaths from January 2020 until the present, 28 of which were reported to the state in accordance with federal law.

The Death in Custody Reporting Act, passed by Congress in 2000, requires all states to report

“information regarding the death of any person who is under arrest, is en route to be incarcerated, or is incarcerated at a municipal or county jail, state prison, or other local or state correctional facility, including any juvenile facility.”

The law has since been expanded to require the law enforcement agency that had custody of the person to report the death.

Six additional deaths occurred since the “Gazette” last received death in custody reports in October of last year. The request was made on Sept. 27, 2024, so the 23 internal reports received spanned from 2020 until that date.

Additionally, one inmate’s death was not reported to FDLE—Corey Merchant, who died in custody after an

altercation with another inmate in the Gulf Pod of the jail.

Merchant’s family sued MCSO, including Sheriff Billy Woods, Deputy Justin Kosinski, Deputy Joseph Miller and Sgt. Jerome Dukes, in 2023 for wrongful death, claiming Merchant’s death could have been prevented.

‘Preserve legacy:’ community rallies to save historic Fessenden, Anthony elementary schools

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Community members rallied at a Marion County School Board meetingon Jan. 28 to fight for Fessenden Elementary and Anthony Elementary to remain open as the board debated the fate of both schools and considered alternative uses.

At a school board work session the week prior, members floated the idea of offlining Fessenden and Anthony Elementary School and sending students to the nearby Reddick-Collier Elementary, which is only at about half-full capacity. If the school were decommissioned as an educational facility, it would be converted for use as a museum, daycare center, community center, or other resource—but not destroyed.

The item is not slated for any final decision or action and was not on the Jan. 28 agenda for discussion. The public came as a proactive measure to voice support for the schools before the school board moves further with any alternative options.

Fessenden Elementary School is registered on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest continuously operated school in Florida originally established for Black students shortly after the Civil War.

Originally called Fessenden Academy, the school was founded by a group of freedmen fighting for the educational rights of Black Americans, led by Thomas B. Ward.

Ward’s great-granddaughter Linda Ward is the current PTO president of Fessenden Elementary and one of the passionate

speakers who pleaded with the school board to keep the school in use as an educational facility.

“You're talking about ripping the hearts out of a family if you go along with trying to close the school,” Ward said. “I want you to go down in the pits of your intestinal fortitude and just say, ‘God, give me the strength to do the right thing.’”

The school was first founded in 1868 as Fessenden Academy, eventually transitioned into Fessenden High School, and absorbed into Marion County Public Schools in 1951.

Community members voiced staunch opposition to the site being used as anything other than a school. The school’s history runs deep, and many speakers

See Elementary schools, page A5

Fessenden Elementary School [supplied]

PIT Count

Continued from page A1

Count she recalled with a weather night event pending, meaning shelter would be offered, and said those seeking temporary shelter for the night at the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Ocala would be accounted for.

The center took in temporary clients that night when a “mandated cold weather night” was declared, according to Scott Lyles, Salvation Army Ocala Social Services Program Coordinator.

“We had 59 residents in our regular shelter programs yesterday evening and 18 additional clients came in for the cold weather night effort,” Lyles wrote in an email on Jan.24.

“Typically, during the week, we require all residents (unless they are given a pass specifically granting them permission otherwise) to be off of the property during the day. The idea being they have their assignments from their case worker; they should be following through on potential job searches, housing searches, or meeting other assigned goals,” he wrote.

“This morning, the residents, including cold weather night intakes, are again being allowed to remain in the building and on property until later in the morning when it warms up to a minimum of 40 degrees,” Lyles stated.

The PIT Count provides data to Marion County Continuum of Care partners for grants to provide services. Example survey questions at files.hudexchange.info include age and race, if over age 18, about military service, alcohol and drug use, social security or disability income, and how long they have been homeless.

Patti Valenti, outreach and referral specialist with the Joint Office of Homelessness Prevention, and Lauran Blaugh, Marion County Continuum of Care

program coordinator, were set to do interviews midday on Jan. 23 at the Brothers Keeper Soup Kitchen/ Interfaith Emergency Services Complex at 435 NW 2nd St., Ocala. The kitchen served 162 people on a recent day, according to a server.

Several people waiting for food at the soup kitchen were asked about their sleeping arrangements.

Paul is living in a wooded area near downtown Ocala, even on recent 35 degree and wet nights.

“I almost called 911 (for) hypothermia,” said Paul, 55. He said his mother died a few years ago and he was put out of their housing in Homosassa. He said he has been going to local feeding outreaches and food pantries but thinks he has a path out of his homeless situation with housing in Holiday, Florida.

David, 45, lives unsheltered “in the woods.” He commented on difficulties in life since age 21. He has been homeless for three years.

Willie, 61, lost his wife a few years ago and has been living on the street, most recently in an “abandoned house,” which will be demolished soon. He said he’s clean of drugs and “with God’s help, I’ll make it.”

Zazah, a woman of 46, just moved here and is trying to get settled into housing with help from Interfaith Emergency Services. She currently is living in her Dodge van in southwest Marion County.

George, 61, and Ricky, 73, were walking in the area around the IES Complex. George had just been released from jail. He said there are multiple outdoor camps to sleep in, for example near two local Walmart stores.

Although official 2025 figures are perhaps weeks away, the Florida’s Council on Homelessness from the Department of Children and Families indicates that the 2024 PIT Count listed 177 homeless people living sheltered and 201 living unsheltered in Marion County.

Ford said seven VA personnel were counting and that volunteers went to local spots known for

activities such as panhandling. She said interviewers sent to the camps are typically someone known to the camp residents and who have worked with the residents through the Joint Office of Homelessness Prevention.

“When you walk into their camp, you’re walking into their home,” Ford said.

The IES Center for Life Services building at 108 N. Pine Ave. can provide persons in need with services ranging from help with physical and mental healthcare to housing. Ford said the Joint Office of Homelessness Prevention works closely with the IES Center and people who seek help at IES are referred by IES personnel to the Joint Office.

The Help Center building adjacent to the Center For Life at 421 N.W. 1st St. opened in November 2024 and contains the Engagement Center, which offers people in need a warm place, a shower, help obtaining identification, computer access, employment services in cooperation with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, and other services from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Before the Engagement Centered opened, many people congregated in daylight hours in a vacant lot near the IES Complex on Northwest 2nd Street.

Garfield, 68, and Neil, 58, were at the Engagement Center on the morning of Jan. 23. Garfield, a former barber, hasn’t seen his family in 21 years. He has been staying outdoors unsheltered and covers up with a blanket the best he can. Neil said he has overcome a drug problem and is now a guest in a local minister’s home. He said she likes to share his positivity with others in need on the streets.

“The Engagement Center is the best thing that has happened (for people in need) in a long time,” Ford said.

To learn more, go to ocalafl. gov/government/communitydevelopment-services, marionflcoc. org and iesmarion.org

FDLE INVESTIGATES SHOOTING AT OCALA HOSPITAL

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

Asuspect in law enforcement custody died early Jan. 24 in an Ocala hospital after he struggled with a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who shot the man, according to the Ocala Police Department. OPD units responded to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, located at 1431 SE 1st Ave., at 2:51 a.m., referencing an OPD detail officer requesting assistance.

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Bruce Ackerman Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com

Caroline Brauchler Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com

Chris D’Avonzo Marketing Specialist chris@magnoliamediaco.com

Dani Eskridge Director of Operations & Sales dani@magnoliamediaco.com

Andy Fillmore Reporter andy@ocalagazette.com

Greg Hamilton Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com

Susan Smiley-Height Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Belea Keeney Reporter belea@magnoliamediaco.com

Jane Lyons Account Executive jane@magnoliamediaco.com

Cheryl Specht Client Services Guru cheryl@magnoliamediaco.com

News tips tips@ocalagazette.com

Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

ocalagazette.com

Ocala Gazette (USPS# 25590) (ISSN 27711595) is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, PO BOX 188, OCALA, FL 34478. Periodicals postage paid at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

A28- year-old

Weirsdale man died early on the morning of Jan. 26 after the motorcycle he was

“A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was involved in a physical altercation with a suspect in custody, which resulted in FHP using deadly force,” the OPD news release stated.

The suspect was described only as a white adult male. No information was immediately available about the firearm or how the struggle started.

WEIRSDALE MAN DIES FOLLOWING CRASH

driving left the roadway and overturned, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

An FHP press release stated the crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. as the victim was traveling east

“No law enforcement officers or hospital staff were injured. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was requested by the FHP to investigate the officerinvolved shooting,” the press release stated.

on Southeast 175th Street. The crash occurred at Southeast 155th Avenue.

“While traveling eastbound, (the motorcycle) traveled across the westbound lane and onto the north

An email to the FDLE was not immediately returned.

grass shoulder. After traveling onto the grass shoulder, (the motorcycle) overturned,” the press release stated.

The man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Share your news

The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your submissions to info@ocalagazette.com. Please include your name and contact information on the submission.

• Letters to the editor: 200 words or less.

• Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available.

Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important instructions.

News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.

Karla Greenway, center, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, talks with Melissa Hanson, right, case manager of the newly opened IES Engagement Center, and Robin Ford of the city of Ocala, left, during an open house on Nov. 13, 2024. IES and the city are among several entities involved in efforts to aid the homeless in Marion County. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman]

Law enforcement

MCSO claimed that Merchant was not in custody at the time of his death, therefore no DCRA report was filed to the state. MCSO did, however, previously provide an internal report of Merchant’s death when the “Gazette” asked for all incident reports for inmates who have died in the Marion County Jail.

NEW DEATHS IN CUSTODY:

Jacob Oakie died in the custody of MCSO on July 28, 2024. Oakie’s cause of death was determined to be of natural causes, after falling ill while in custody at the jail. He died at AdventHealth Ocala hospital.

“An investigation into the incident revealed that the inmate had been receiving treatment in the infirmary for an altered mental state. A decision was made by medical staff to transport him to a local hospital by ambulance for further treatment. The inmate ultimately was removed from life support at the request of his family. The cause of death was determined to be natural, caused by Pneumococcal Meningitis,” according to his DCRA report.

Oakie’s death occurred within the time frame that the “Gazette” requested records for deaths in custody but MCSO did not provide an incident report for Oakie when the records were provided in October.

Upon asking why the agency did not originally disclose Oakie’s death, an MCSO records specialist told the “Gazette” that they were “not sure” why it was not provided with the original records.

Juan Miranda-Valentin died in the custody of MCSO on Oct. 3, 2024. Miranda-Valentin was being treated in the infirmary wing of the Marion County Jail before being transported to AdventHealth Ocala hospital, where he later died.

“An investigation into the incident revealed that the inmate had been

receiving treatment in the infirmary for stomach pain and vomiting (alcohol withdrawal). A decision was made by medical staff to transport him to a local hospital by ambulance for further treatment. The inmate ultimately suffered cardiac arrest, and the cause of death was determined to be natural,” according to his DCRA report.

Miranda-Valentin’s death occurred after the date of the “Gazette’s” request for death in custody reports, thus it was not provided in late October with the 23 previous deaths from the past five years.

Raul Zamora died in the custody of MCSO on Nov. 16, 2024. His cause of death could not initially be determined, and an investigation was opened.

The internal investigation found that Zamora had a medical episode after using the showers. He suffered from COPD emphysema, and was dependent on oxygen, which he removed to shower. After Zamora was transported back to the infirmary, shortly after he was found unresponsive and staff performed CPR. He was then transported to AdventHealth Ocala, where he was pronounced dead.

Paul Zittle died in the custody of MCSO on Nov. 27, 2024. Zittle died at the Ted & Diane Brandley House, a hospice facility, from a medical condition, according to his DCRA report.

Jamar Calloway died in the custody of MCSO on Nov. 30, 2024. Calloway died at the HCA Florida Ocala Hospital shortly

after being taken into custody and was never housed at the jail.

“An investigation into the incident revealed the inmate attempted suicide with a firearm while the Ocala Police Department attempted to arrest him. The Marion County Jail assumed custody of the inmate while on life support at the hospital. The inmate died from his injury a short time later without ever being housed at the jail,” according to his DCRA report.

Raymond Burroughs died in the custody of MCSO on Dec. 23, 2024. Burroughs died at AdventHealth Ocala hospital. His cause of death was determined to be of natural causes, due to a “gastrointestinal issue,” according to his DCRA report.

The Marion County Jail is shown in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, July 6, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

NONPROFIT

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

HOSPITALS DONATE $10K TO NONPROFIT

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital on Jan. 22 announced a $10,000 donation to Interfaith Emergency Services to fight hunger in Ocala/Marion County.

For the 2024 Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food and Nutrition Drive, HCA Healthcare hospitals nationwide were encouraged to be creative in building sculptures with cans and boxes of food donated by colleagues. Nursing managers at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital built a food structure in the shape of a smiling turkey to recognize the importance of helping neighbors during the holiday season.

The winner in each division received a $10,000 grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation for a food bank serving its community. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital won for the North

The Boys & Girls Club of Marion County has unveiled a revamped technology room at the Dunnellon Clubhouse, which was sponsored by CocaCola Florida.

The room features state-ofthe-art equipment and tools tailored to meet the evolving needs of young learners, providing them with a platform to develop critical digital skills and pursue innovative projects, noted the news release.

“We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of Coke Florida in transforming our technology lab at our Dunnellon Clubhouse. The Coke Florida team spent hours painting, upgrading flooring, replacing curtains with mini blinds, assembling furniture and providing essential technology such as 10 laptops and

Florida division and selected the Interfaith Emergency Services food bank for the donation.

“HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is grateful to be able to assist Interfaith Emergency Services in

the battle against food insecurity and to help our less fortunate neighbors have a pathway to a healthier tomorrow,” said Alan Keesee, CEO of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, in a news release.

“I’m also very proud of our hospital colleagues who made this donation possible with their creativity, ingenuity, and desire to give back to our community.”

According to IES CEO Karla Greenway, the donation will fund a driver and a refrigerated truck to be used to pick up donated food from local grocery vendors. The food is free, but the nonprofit must provide transportation to distribute it to recipients.

“This $10,000 will keep our truck and driver funded for five months, and in those five months we will pick up approximately 365,000 pounds of food. This includes fresh produce, dairy, meats and nonperishable items, which are passed on to households in need within 48 hours. This amount of food will provide a week’s worth of groceries to 3,652 households. With an average of three persons

TECH ROOM REVAMP FOR B&G CLUB IN DUNNELLON

per household, that feeds over 10,000 people. We can’t thank HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital enough for ensuring that we can sustain this ministry for the upcoming months,” Greenway noted.

an interactive whiteboard have truly elevated our space,” said B&G Club CEO April Savarese on social media.

Among those on hand for a ribbon cutting event on Jan.

15, hosted by the Dunnellon Chamber and Business Association, was Travis Warren, senior manager of public affairs and community relations for Coke Florida.

Open Arms Village to expand, open women’s sober living home

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Ocala is getting a new sober living house for women, as Open Arms Village’s zoning is approved to open a campus at the United Methodist Church.

On Jan. 21, the Ocala City Council approved the church’s zoning application to house an expansion of Open Arms Village with a vote of 3-1.

The church’s Sunday School building will be renovated to add 16 beds, a kitchen, bathroom and shower areas, and a sanctuary for women’s rehabilitation. UMC’s pastors, Michael and Jill Beck, will aid in the spiritual wellness of the women seeking treatment at Open Arms.

“We believe we can save lives with this,” said Michael Beck. “For us, that is the ministry and the mission of the church— services to really help people and do those things Jesus told us to do.”

Open Arms Village has its main location at 1839 NE 8th Road in Ocala, which serves men in Marion County by extending time spent sober, improving psychiatric symptoms and reducing the likeliness of future costs to the hospitals and legal system, according to Open Arms.

The shelter is high barrier, with only about one in seven applicants being accepted to the program, said Open Arms Board Chair Mark Imes to the city council at the zoning public hearing.

“We’ve had over 475 men through this program. 76% have graduated sober with the job paying for their own housing,” Imes said. “We do a sex offenders registry check to ensure that the men are not on there. We also drug test them and alcohol test them coming in, and then there’s random drug testing while they’re there.”

Some citizens, including the principal of a nearby school, expressed opposition

to the location of the new women’s shelter, citing concerns for the nearby residential areas.

At the site, case manager Dennis Grundy and substance abuse mental health counselor Davieoyn Hopson run rehabilitation efforts, including group therapy, counseling, job placement, addiction treatment, in addition to providing food, clothing and shelter.

“The whole idea is that while the men are there, they are able to save up money so that they have a firm foundation under themselves, and they can move into that next step in their recovery with a level of financial stability where they don’t have to necessarily go back to things that have gotten them in trouble in the past,” Imes said.

The expansion at UMC will allow women to have the same resource of the program available to them, given they have a true desire and drive to get sober, he said.

At UMC, Jill Beck will take point on leading the program and aiding the participants in spirituality and wellness, her husband said.

“My wife is going to be the director on this one. I’ll be more her supporter, to help her and encourage her,” Beck said. “I’m in a pastoral role, but Jill will be the director of the women’s program, so she’ll oversee the day-to-day operations, and the team will be providing services.”

The buildout for the shelter is anticipated to take from three to six months, at a cost of about $600,000.

Open Arms Village will be hiring additional staff to accommodate the expansion, including a female substance abuse and mental health counselor.

“Thank you to all those people in the Ocala community at large for seeing this and wanting to be a better place,” Beck said.

From left, Kaitlyn Wilson-Butler, communications/community engagement director HCA Florida Healthcare in Ocala; Nicola Gaskin, Haley Garr and Josey Robinson, nurse managers at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital; Karla Greenway, CEO, Interfaith Emergency Services; the hospital’s CEO Alan Keesee, Chief Nursing Officer Sonna Harding and Oncology Director Lisa McGuire; and Sonya Tyler, IES director of operations [Submitted photo]

Creative sculpture designed by nursing managers at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. [Submitted photo]

From left, Boys & Girls Club of Marion County Director of Operations Brittany Marchand and CEO April Savarese; Travis Warren, with Coke Florida; Judy Terwilliger, Executive Director of the Dunnellon Chamber and Business Association; and Dunnellon Mayor Walter Green. [Submitted photo]

Boys & Girls Club of Marion County member Leighton Hefferman works with a Coke Florida representative in the revamped room. [Submitted photo]

The program will be a second site of Open Arms Village but will house women only. Plans to renovate the facility are already underway. Rev. Jill Beck will be the Director of the women’s program and lead pastor of the new church. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

SEASONAL JOB GAINS AND UNEMPLOYMENT DROP OVER THE MONTH

The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 4.0% in December, a drop of 0.7 percentage point over the month and virtually unchanged from the year ago rate of 3.9%.

According to preliminary employment data released by FloridaCommerce, the labor force was 217,002, which represented an expansion of 154 over the month and contraction of 2,448 since December 2023. There were 208,276 employed residents across the three-county area, an increase of 1,590 compared to November and 2,663 fewer over the year. There were 8,726 unemployed

residents in the region, down 1,436 compared to November and 215 more than December 2023.

In a news release from CareerSource CLM, Dale French, the agency’s executive vice president, said of the report, “While we continue to see fluctuations across the counties in our region, the figures remain consistent. Seasonal employment fluctuations are to be expected. Overall, we are seeing very slight increases in unemployment, but an overall strong local economy.”

Levy and Marion counties posted the region’s lowest jobless rates at 3.8%, both down 0.6 percentage point over the month and landing the

Elementary schools

Continued from page A1

expressed a desire for their children and grandchildren to be able to attend the school just like they and the generations before them had the honor to do.

Annie Alexander Harvey, a Fessenden alumna from the Class of 1964, attended the school during segregation.

“My grandfather, JW McLaughlin and his brother James Budd McLaughlin helped build the administration building in 1909, using those Florida coquina rock that make it so unique,” Alexander Harvey said. “All of this was certainly made possible by funds from the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.” Carnegie, the legendary steel tycoon, awarded the school a

grant of $6,500 in the early 1900s for the construction of the main building.

The nearby Anthony Elementary School, also suggested for the chopping block, was one of many schools opened to the public for tours last year to show the disrepair of the school and many needed updates.

The school’s historic cafeteria, which has served as a gym, auditorium and more over the years, is one of the oldest buildings standing across any Marion County School. Its beautiful brick walls and floorto-ceiling arched windows house students every day, but it underwent major renovations a few years ago when the entirety

counties with the 10th highest rates in the state. Citrus County’s rate of 4.8% was the highest among Florida’s 67 counties but was 0.7 percentage point lower than November’s rate. Florida’s not seasonally adjusted rate, which matches how local rates are determined, was 3.1%, down half a percent over the month.

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion offers job fairs, hiring events, workshops and facilities for job searches, training grants for eligible candidates, career development and one-on-one consulting at no charge to those seeking employment. Call (800) 434-JOBS (5627) or visit careersourceclm.com to learn more.

of its wooden floor needed to be removed to in order to save the building.

James Carter, a former Anthony student, now hosts the Good News Bible Club in the classroom where he once attended third grade in 1955. Carter was one of the many community members who helped to restore the cafeteria.

“That wood didn't have to be hauled away, but the people, the community came out and picked up all that rotted wood and took it home as a memory. And that's how it is in our community with our school,” Carter said.

Carter urged the school board to save the school, not just for its status as a place of learning but as a community hub.

Due to the rural location of the school, many students and families walk to the school, as they don’t have a car or other mode

CITY OF OCALA EARNS BUDGET AWARD

The city of Ocala has announced that its budget department has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association.

The honor highlights the city’s dedication to producing a budget that meets the highest standards of clarity, accountability and strategic planning, noted the news release.

of transportation, said Anthony’s music teacher Laurie Rangel.

“We had a mother come with five children, who doesn't have a car, who walked to one of our school events and brought all five of her kids,” Rangel said. “If you move them to Reddick, she can't come. She doesn't have transportation, so then she can no longer be involved in the school that her kids attend.”

At the close of the meeting, School Board Members Eric Cummings and Nancy Thrower expressed disappointment at the way that the idea of dissolving Fessenden and Anthony was brought up at the work session before allowing the public any notice or input.

Cummings spoke strongly for keeping both schools as educational institutions, citing willingness for the district to spend the funds for necessary

The city demonstrated proficiency in meeting guidelines that evaluate how well a budget functions as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. The budget was rated proficient in those categories and in the 14 mandatory criteria required to earn the distinction.

The GFOA’s Budget Awards Program includes more than 1,700 participants.

renovations to bring the schools up to a better standard.

Bishop James David Stockton, former president of the Marion County NAACP, was the last of the public speakers to encourage the board to preserve Fessenden’s history.

“We're showing you tonight that we're proactively passionate about the future of our centers of higher education,” Stockton said. “It's interesting also to me that all of these schools are in the same district, same community, same area—an area that many talk about having been overlooked and sometimes forgotten because the focus of the development of our county, seemingly, is in other areas.”

Stockton, the last speaker, left the school board with one final message: “We're emotional tonight, but we'll be voters tomorrow.”

State jobless rate stays at 3.4 percent

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

Despite retirees continuing to reduce the size of the labor force and a slight bump in the number of Floridians out of work, the state’s unemployment rate held steady in December.

The Florida Department of Commerce on Friday released a report that said the unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in December, unchanged from November. The national unemployment rate in December was 4.1 percent.

Jimmy Heckman, the Department of Commerce’s

chief of workforce statistics and economic research, attributed the state’s employment picture to its population growth, which has boosted demand for goods and services.

“Those opportunities for new businesses to open up, create jobs for Florida job seekers, really creates that environment for strong job growth in the state,” Heckman said in a conference call with reporters.

The December rate represents an estimated 377,000 Floridians qualifying as out of work from a labor force of 11 million. The labor force decreased by an estimated 6,000 workers from November and was 53,000 lower

than in December 2023.

Meanwhile, the number of people who were unemployed increased by 2,000 from November to December and was 38,000 higher than in December 2023.

The unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in December 2023.

Heckman said retirements remain closely tied to the decrease in the labor force.

Employment in manufacturing, for example, decreased by 900 jobs from November to December and by 6,300 jobs from December 2023.

“The manufacturing labor force does skew a little bit older than the rest of Florida's labor

force and other industries,” Heckman said.

But Heckman said manufacturing production increased over the past year.

“We're seeing an environment where manufacturing employers have, on average, have fewer employees than they used to, but they're still able to maintain that production,” Heckman said.

Meanwhile, sectors with the most employment growth over the past year were the broad category of education and health services, up 30,900 jobs; leisure and hospitality, up 29,500 jobs; and construction, up 28,900 jobs.

The Miami-Fort LauderdaleWest Palm Beach metropolitan

statistical area had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in December at 2.8 percent, followed by the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin and Naples areas at 2.9 percent.

Among others, the OrlandoKissimmee-Sanford, Panama City and Jacksonville areas had 3 percent rates in December.

The highest rate was in the Homosassa Springs area at 4.8 percent. The Sebring area was at 4.5 percent and The Villages area was at 4.4 percent.

The statewide rate is seasonally adjusted, while the metro rates are not adjusted.

Fine and Weil win party nominations in congressional primary for District 6 Winner of April special election will ﬁll vacancy left by Waltz

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

The Republican and Democratic primary elections for the House of Representatives

District 6 seat have closed, leaving two candidates to face off in the special election on April 1.

State Sen. Randy Fine (R-Melbourne) and Democrat Josh Weil, an Orlando educator, are running to replace former U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who resigned from the House midJanuary and became President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor following the inauguration.

Fine defeated Republican challengers Aaron Baker, of Sorrento, and Eshan Joarder, of Brooksville.

Weil defeated challenger Ges Selmont, of Elkton.

The polls closed at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28. Fine won the Republican nomination with nearly 34,000 votes, and Weil won the Democratic nomination with nearly 10,000 votes.

U.S. House District 6 encompasses parts of Volusia, Lake, Flagler, Marion, Putnam and St. Johns counties.

Fine is a recently elected Florida state senator in District

19, which covers from Titusville to Sebastian. He was encouraged to run by Trump for congress in District 6, which is about an hour away from his home in

Melbourne Beach.

“God saved Donald Trump’s life so he could save the world. And tonight, both of them, powered by my amazing family

and all of you who voted for me, put me one step closer to being able to help him do that. I swear I won’t let any of you down,” Fine wrote after his primary win.

He was endorsed both by Trump and Waltz. Waltz posted his endorsement of Fine just before the inauguration.

“Working with President Trump and Speaker (Mike) Johnson, I know Randy will deliver results for our region, our state and our great nation,” Waltz posted to social media.

Waltz took on the position of National Security Advisor as soon as Trump took office, as the role does not require Senate confirmation.

Democratic primary winner

Weil is a school teacher in Orlando, who describes himself as a progressive Democrat and not a career politician

“Tonight, our campaign’s victory belongs to the thousands of Floridians who believe in the power of regular people over partisan political games – and we’re just getting started,” Weil wrote on Facebook. “I’m a public educator and single dad, so I’ve seen firsthand the struggles families across our communities face every day.”

Weil said he will not accept funding from corporate political action committees ahead of the April 1 general election.

Early voting will be open from March 22 until March 29. The polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

ocalagazette

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Photo/Florida House of Representatives)

MCSO transparency is woefully lacking

We feel the public should be asking: Why?

By Ocala Gazette Editorial Board

This year, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the launching of the “Ocala Gazette,” a bold step aimed at providing quality news reporting and commentary to our growing community, which desperately needed a fresh and aggressive news source.

Over the past five years, we’ve broken many significant local news stories and attempted to provide a voice to the marginalized, who often are denied a seat at the leaders’ table. We have established trust with countless readers, citizens and public officials throughout the county who appreciate the need for an informed populace.

But not every public official has welcomed the scrutiny we provide. Without doubt, the award for the most cantankerous and least transparent local agency goes to the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office and its leader, Sheriff Billy Woods.

For a public servant who stands steadfast in support of the Second Amendment, Wood seems to have forgotten the First Amendment. The department continues to hide behind a growing list of exemptions, high costs, veil of secrecy, threats to journalists, and outright disdain publicly for any independent questions.

This newspaper has asked for better communications with Woods and members of his agency time and again so we can report fairly and offer important context for some of the discrepancies we’ve discovered in his operation, but Woods repeatedly has refused. Instead, he avoids answering any direct questions by hiding behind public information officers and an attorney whom he uses to belittle or issue threats against our journalists.

For example, in 2024 the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) asked the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to develop recommendations for police-media interactions during mass demonstrations Law enforcement members and journalists across the country faced communication challenges after the protests following George Floyd’s 2020 murder and then the Jan. 6, 2021, riot by President Trump’s supporters at the Capitol. Leaders in both fields got together and developed some

practical suggestions to improve tattered relationships.

We sent the report to the Woods’ office and the Ocala Police Department and asked if we could have an agreement in line with the report’s recommendations.

A key recommendation was that during a riot, journalists should be allowed to stay and document independently how rioters are treated rather than the journalists being treated as rioters themselves and subject to the general order to disburse made to the larger crowd.

The report stresses the importance of independent accounts by journalists as vital in accurately portraying law enforcement’s treatment of protestors and building trust that things were handled correctly.

OPD Chief Michael Balken acknowledged the benefits of such an agreement for his department in the event of civil unrest locally, and the “Gazette” was able to communicate our policy on covering a demonstration to OPD. It reads: “General orders to disburse made by law enforcement to protestors will not apply to reporters covering a demonstration because reporters are not part of the demonstration nor are they doing anything illegal. If there is confusion at the scene, the reporter will identify themselves as a journalist to law enforcement and clarify they not part of a demonstration.”

Woods, through his lawyer Marissa Duquette, has refused to discuss the matter with us. He stated he would not come to such an agreement with the “Gazette” before a protest.

The frustrating, and ironic, part of this obstinance is that better communication between the newspaper and the sheriff ’s office could improve the information we deliver and likely aid the messaging of the MCSO under the “iron sharpens iron” theory.

When it comes to emergency management, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners delegate the lion’s share of this responsibility to the MCSO. So far, our county has narrowly escaped catastrophic hurricane impacts.

However, the MCSO prevents media from attending any of the emergency management meetings that local officials and nonprofit organizations and select businesses are allowed to attend before, during and after an emergency and refuses to

share the department’s planning information, saying it’s exempt.

This is a missed opportunity. It never hurts to have fresh eyes – in this case, professional questioners – to review an emergency plan and test emergency communications on before they are disseminated publicly. Case in point: Last October, as Hurricane Milton approached, the MCSO issued a “mandatory evacuation order for those living in mobile homes, RVs, modular-type homes, and any structure site-built before 1994.”

The mandatory evacuation caused quite a lot of panic because it impacted over 55,000 site-built homes, in addition to more than 30,000 mobile homes/ RVs. Had we been with MCSO staff as they considered sending a message that required over 85,000 households to evacuate, with local shelter capacity of approximately 8,000, the “Gazette” would have pointed out that the math doesn’t work.

They walked the mandatory order back a few hours later, but the damage was done as news outlets had already set in motion reporting it.

Regular readers of the “Gazette” over the past year have likely noticed the significant time and resources we’ve put into explaining the dysfunctional policies controlling emergency communications in Marion County.

Over nearly a year we studied local emergency infrastructure and for many days we observed 911 call takers and fire/medical dispatch at the city and county call centers. We studied history, read local and nationally recommended practice and reached out with intelligent

questions about why we do things differently in our community.

When the Gazette journalist asked to make a test call to see which local call center she’d ring to, the MCSO threatened the reporter with arrest despite the county’s approval- why?

The county continues to grant authorization for test calls to concerned members of the public who make arrangements with the county’s 911 coordinatorsas they should. Response times, obviously, are the most important factor associated with emergency communications as far as the public is concerned. While we were granted access to observe the two 911 call centers in the county, we were not allowed to observe the MCSO dispatchers.

Our efforts are aimed at trying to understand how the MCSO prioritizes calls at the dispatch level and which resources are available to respond to 911 calls.

Factor in that the MCSO does not prepare any reports that analyze response times, and we think the public does have reason to be concerned about what level of service they should expect in case of an emergency.

The allocation of resources matters. Marion County taxpayer dollars allotted to the MCSO have doubled since Woods took office, and state legislators have allowed the sheriff to move money between allocated budget items as he deems, further obscuring agency finances from public scrutiny.

As we all know, the area’s population growth has been through the roof over the past decade. Are we less safe now because of the strain that growth has put on resources? Without transparency from the MCSO, who knows?

On View Through June 8

Woods regularly says he needs more personnel when he comes to county commissioners with his budget demands. But there is virtually no accountability and little transparency to track the department’s effectiveness under his leadership.

There are some things MCSO does differently than other public safety agencies that make it difficult to grasp the call volume they are navigating and how it impacts response times. For instance, MCSO does not share what active calls it’s responding to like with other public safety agencies, including Marion County Fire Rescue, the OPD and the Florida Highway Patrol

Then there is the concern about the number of people who have died while in the custody of the Marion County Jail.

This past year, we had to go to court to obtain records from the MCSO that showed what the sheriff reported about the death of inmate Scott Whitley was an outright lie that was recited over and over again to different media outlets and law enforcement agencies.

We’d like to further hold the MCSO accountable through public records from the sheriff, but these legal battles are costly and the department, which runs on taxpayer dollars, knows it.

When we recently read records prepared by MCSO staff indicating major shortfalls in medical care, the high level of deaths in custody, and the department’s inconsistent reporting to the state and investigation of them we asked for emails drafted by the same employee to members of MCSO leadership and the medical team at Heart of Florida.

The response was a bill for over $95,000. We narrowed the request to only emails from 2023 and 2024 and received a reduced bill: still, a whopping $20,218.10. Keep in mind, these are public records, created using the public’s money.

We’d ask all of you to please join us in demanding better transparency and cooperation from Woods and the MCSO so that you know if the agency is humanely incarcerating not just suspected criminals but the mentally ill, like Scott Whitley.

We think you would also like to know how quickly you can expect help when you call 911.

The saying goes, knowledge is power. That makes Woods the most powerful person in Marion County because he alone controls the amount of life-saving information you receive—which leaves you and your family in the dark and vulnerable.

Joel Bustamante’s Architectural Photography

On view in the museum’s Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists, explore 30 captivating black-and-white and color photographs by Joel Bustamante that showcase the bold modern architecture of Japan in the 1970s and 1980s.

File photo of Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods from 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Joel Bustamante, Japan Technology Expo, Tsukuba, Japan, 1985, Gelatin

DeSantis vows to veto immigration bill

By Dara Kam Florida News Service

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday pledged to veto an immigration bill passed during a special legislative session Tuesday, triggering a potential showdown with Republican House and Senate leaders in a tug-of-war over efforts to carry out President Donald Trump’s agenda.

DeSantis lambasted the measure during appearances Wednesday in Titusville and Fort Myers. The bill, backed by House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, includes making Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson the state’s immigration czar, putting Simpson’s department in charge of immigration enforcement, and steering nearly $500 million to state and local law-enforcement agencies to crack down on illegal immigration. The measure (SB 2-B) focuses, in part, on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.

The governor’s latest criticism ramped up what has become a brutal — and public — feud between the Republican legislative leaders and DeSantis, who repeatedly called the bill “weak” and “pathetic” and lobbed personal attacks at his foes.

“What you’ve seen, there’s a difference between having a Republican majority and a conservative majority. We had a conservative majority the previous two years, and I think what you’re seeing, it’s driven by leadership. They’re moving the Republicans in the Legislature left,” DeSantis said during the appearance in Fort Myers.

But Senate bill sponsor Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican who is a close Trump ally, said he spoke directly with the president and worked with the Trump administration to craft legislation that would help carry out the president’s immigration crackdown.

“This is the strongest bill that’s ever been passed anywhere in the country. This gives the president all the tools he needs in support of his executive orders and what he’s trying to do,” Gruters told The News Service of Florida on Wednesday. “I’ve worked with the administration on technical guidance on making sure that we have everything in there that they need for them to accomplish their job.”

DeSantis’ criticism Wednesday continued days of intraparty sniping over how best to address the illegal immigration issue.

“This bill will work. This bill will be the game-changer. Of course, you are going to have your handful of politicians, a small group of activists and a lot of paid bots on social media trying to gaslight you,” Perez said in a shot at DeSantis before the House passed the bill in an 82-30 vote Tuesday night. The Senate earlier voted 21-16 to approve the bill.

The plan includes boosting criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants, ending in-state tuition rates for undocumented-immigrant students and creating a state “chief immigration officer” within the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The bill also would lead to spending about $500 million, with much of the money going to local law-enforcement agencies, and would require the death penalty for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes such as first-degree murder.

Republicans on both sides of the dispute tried to tie themselves to Trump — with the final version of the bill titled the “Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act,” a moniker that drew DeSantis’ jibes the following day.

“They’re trying to leverage Donald Trump’s popularity and his reputation for being strong on immigration … and

Public Notice

they’re trying to have that paper over the weak sauce that they’re trying to jam down your throats here in Florida. I think that’s offensive,” the governor said during the event Wednesday in Fort Myers.

Gruters praised DeSantis’ previous efforts to combat illegal immigration — a cornerstone of GOP politics — but called this week’s public dispute “counterproductive to the overall goal” of supporting Trump.

“The president wants the most help he could possibly get. He wants the most conservative bill he can get,” Gruters said. “To call our bill weak, I think it unfortunately backs him (DeSantis) into a corner.”

The heated rhetoric spilled out onto the House floor Tuesday, as Perez poked DeSantis for pressuring lawmakers to vote against the proposal.

“Threatening others to get your way isn’t leadership. It’s immaturity. The people of our state deserve better,” Perez said. “We know that truth matters. Simply saying something is terrible over and over doesn’t actually make it true.”

DeSantis on Wednesday continued to take aim at the bill’s failure to require identity verification for wire transfers, a proposal he said would help eliminate “incentives” for illegal immigration by preventing undocumented workers from sending money to their home countries.

“Clearly, to have designed a bill like that, you don’t believe in what we believe in, in terms of strong borders, a big deportation program, rule of law, protecting families and protecting communities,” DeSantis said during his appearance in Titusville.

The governor also repeatedly attacked the plan to give Simpson — a potential 2026 gubernatorial candidate who has close ties to Trump and has been at odds with DeSantis — oversight of immigration enforcement.

DeSantis repeatedly likened the provision to putting “the fox in the henhouse,” alluding to immigrants working in the agriculture industry..

In a social-media post Tuesday, Simpson said he was aligned with Trump and pointed to DeSantis’ failed bid for the White House last year.

“Florida’s conservative legislature will decide who is best to support President Trump and his team. I’m not the one who opposed and ran against President Trump. @GovRonDeSantis’s routine attacks on farmers don’t sit well here in Florida –- and apparently not with folks across the country either,” Simpson posted on X.

The Legislature had not formally sent the bill to DeSantis as of mid-afternoon Wednesday. But when asked earlier in the day if he intended to veto the measure, the governor answered affirmatively. A veto potentially could lead to calling another special session on the immigration issue.

“What they did last night is not going to pass muster. It is not what they told you they would do, when they ran for office. It is not consistent with what all of these Republicans ran on, and all of these Republicans promised the people that put them into office,” he said at the Titusville event.

Gruters, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, acknowledged that the “power struggle” between the Republican leaders has resulted in a stalemate but remained hopeful.

“Listen, we got to get past this,” Gruters, who has Trump’s backing in the 2026 race for state chief financial officer, said. “We need to de-escalate this because, at the end of the day, this is a good bill. … I think we’ve got to tone down everything. I’m optimistic that the governor will reconsider, considering the fact that this is one of the strongest bills that’s ever been passed in the entire country.”

FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE BRIEFS

COURT TO RECONSIDER ‘PREDATOR’ LICENSE LABEL

Afull appeals court has decided to take up a case about the constitutionality of a state requirement for convicted sexual predators to have the words “SEXUAL PREDATOR” on their driver’s licenses.

The 5th District Court of Appeal on Thursday issued an order that said it will rehear the case as a full court, or what is known as “en banc.”

The move came after a divided panel of the court on Jan. 10 ruled that requiring the SEXUAL PREDATOR designation on driver’s licenses violated First Amendment rights. The 2-1 decision in a Sumter County case said the designation is compelled speech that is not narrowly tailored to meet the state’s goals of informing the public about the presence of sexual predators.

The ruling would not affect Florida’s system of publishing information online about sexual predators, such as where they live. Also, it would not affect a designation placed on the driver’s licenses of convicted sexual offenders, whose crimes differ from sexual predators. Sexual offenders’ licenses include the number of a sexual-offender statute — not the label “sexual offender.”

Judge Scott Makar wrote the panel’s majority decision, which was joined by Judge F. Rand Wallis. But Judge Adrian Soud dissented, calling the majority decision “illconceived” and a “dangerously wayward opinion that ends in a repugnant result with deleterious effect.”

The license designation was challenged by Michael Crist, who pleaded no contest in 2002 to charges of attempted sexual battery on a child under the age of 12 and lewd and lascivious molestation, according to the panel’s majority opinion. After serving prison time, he lived in Sumter County and had the designation on his driver’s license. More than a decade after his release from prison, a probation officer asked to see the license and noticed Crist trying to scratch off what the opinion described as a “happy face emoji” sticker that covered the words SEXUAL PREDATOR.

Crist was charged with possession of a driver’s license without the required designation and tampering with evidence, the opinion said.

FLORIDA GAS PRICES INCREASE

Florida motorists paid an average of $3.21 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas Monday, up 3 cents from a week earlier, according to the AAA auto club. The national average price Monday was $3.12 a gallon, down a penny from a week earlier. State and national average prices have increased since the start of the year.

“Drivers will likely continue to see gas prices fluctuate through the week, but there doesn’t currently appear to be any significant measure of relief on the way as of now,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a prepared statement.

Average prices in Florida ranged from $2.90 a gallon in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach area to $3.35 a gallon in the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area, according to AAA.

MCCLAIN EYES 2028 RE-ELECTION

After getting elected to the Senate in November, Ocala Republican Stan McClain has started preparing to run again in 2028.

McClain opened a campaign account last week that is a first step toward seeking re-election in Senate District 9, which is made up of Levy, Marion and part of Alachua counties, according to the state Division of Elections website.

McClain ran for the Senate after serving eight years in the House.

Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, appointed McClain as chairman of the Senate Community Affairs Committee.

McClain received 63.3 percent of the vote in November.

Immigration bill passes amid DeSantis objections

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Saying they are trying to help President Donald Trump crack down on illegal immigration, Florida’s Republicancontrolled Legislature late Tuesday passed a plan that includes boosting criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants, ending in-state tuition rates for undocumented-immigrant students and creating a state “chief immigration officer.”

The bill, which passed in a special legislative session, also would lead to spending about $500 million, with much of the money going to local law-enforcement agencies, and would require the death penalty for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes such as first-degree murder.

The final 84-page version emerged after two days of conflict between Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis about what should pass. Republicans on both sides of the dispute tried to tie themselves to Trump — with the final version of the bill titled the “Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act.”

House bill sponsor Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, said lawmakers needed to address an illegal immigration “crisis.”

“We have to take action. We have to do something, and we are going to get the crisis under control in this state,” McClure said moments before the House gave final passage to the bill.

The Senate voted 21-16 to approve the bill, while the House passed it 82-30. Attention quickly turned to whether DeSantis would veto the bill, after lawmakers rejected his proposed immigration changes.

As lawmakers debated the measure, DeSantis criticized the bill during an interview on Fox News.

“It’s a weak bill, but they named it the Trump Act. So they think by putting the name of a strong president on a weak bill,

OPD officers shoot and kill aggressive canines

The action was taken “to prevent harm to human life” oﬃcials stated.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

Two officers shot and killed three unrestrained pit bulls early Wednesday (Jan. 29) in southeast Ocala after the dogs charged at them, according to an Ocala Police Department press release.

OPD officers responded to a residence in the 1300 block of Southeast 42nd Road around 3:39 a.m. after “aggressive dogs” were reported in the area and encountered “three pit bulls acting aggressively and appearing to pose an immediate threat,” the press release indicated.

“While monitoring the dogs and waiting for Marion County Animal Control to arrive, officers warned a nearby jogger who was approaching the dogs to turn back for safety. The dogs then turned their focus and charged at the officers, forcing them to use lethal force. All three dogs were neutralized on the scene and Animal Control later took custody of them. No people were injured,” according to OPD.

The press release stated that the killing of the dogs was “to prevent harm to human life.”

“We urge all pet owners, especially those who have dogs with aggressive tendencies, to properly secure their animals to ensure their well-being and our community's safety,” the press release stated.

The two officers involved in the incident have been reassigned to administrative duties while an internal review is conducted, officials noted.

that somehow that is going to pull the wool over the eyes,” DeSantis told Fox News host

Laura Ingraham.

He added, “We’ve got to be strong. We cannot let these guys squish out on this issue.”

But House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, fired back, saying lawmakers had passed “the most-conservative, the mostaggressive and the most-effective immigration bill in the country.”

“Of course, you’re going to have your handful of politicians, a small group of activists and a lot of paid bots on social media trying to gaslight you,” Perez told the House. “But we know that truth matters, and simply saying that something is terrible over and over doesn’t actually make it true. Threatening others to get your way isn’t leadership, it’s immaturity.”

Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, was among lawmakers who expected DeSantis to veto the measure.

"We'll be back again," Wright said when asked if he expected DeSantis to call another special session. "We're just beginning."

Six Senate Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the bill (SB 2-B). They were Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island; Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami; Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa; Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach; Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill; and Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers. Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, was the only Republican who voted against the bill in the House.

Democrats focused on issues such as part of the bill that would repeal a 2014 law that allows undocumented-immigrant students to pay cheaper in-state tuition rates at Florida colleges and universities if they meet certain criteria. Democrats said many of those students — commonly known as “dreamers” — have lived in Florida most of their lives and went through the school system.

“Education is not a privilege. It’s a right,” said Rep. Marie Woodson, a Hollywood

Democrat who was born in Haiti. “Let’s empower dreamers to realize their full potential.”

But Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, said the 2014 law allows undocumented immigrants to pay lower tuition than people who live in other states and attend Florida colleges and universities.

“We don’t believe illegal immigrants should pay less to go to colleges and universities than Americans,” Fine said.

DeSantis on Jan. 13 called a special session to address immigration and a series of other issues. But he hadn’t reached an agreement with Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and they quickly objected to the session.

In a rare rebuke to DeSantis, the House and Senate convened the DeSantiscalled special session Monday morning, adjourned and then opened their own special session. They effectively rejected DeSantis’ immigration proposal and immediately started moving forward with a legislative plan. They made a series of changes to the plan before passing it Tuesday.

Senate sponsor Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, and other supporters of the bill said it focuses on targeting undocumented immigrants who are criminals and that it would carry out executive orders Trump signed after his inauguration last week.

“With this bill, Florida answers the call,” House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, said. “We will do our part.”

Among other things, the bill would toughen criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. That includes requiring people designated as “dangerous unauthorized alien” offenders to serve full prison sentences without the possibility of early release.

A heavily debated change Tuesday would require death sentences for undocumented immigrants who commit capital crimes, such as first-degree murder and sexual battery on

a child under age 12. Democrats repeatedly questioned the constitutionality of such a requirement, pointing to legal precedents about the role of juries in deciding whether defendants face the death penalty.

The bill also would make changes aimed at increasing cooperation of local law-enforcement agencies with federal immigration-enforcement efforts. One part would offer $1,000 bonuses to local lawenforcement officers who participate in federal “at-large task force operations.”

Democrats, however, raised concerns that the bill could lead to immigrationenforcement efforts in places such as schools and churches.

One part of the bill that drew attention would create an Office of Immigration Enforcement within the state Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services and make Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson the state’s chief immigration officer. DeSantis objected to giving Simpson authority over immigration issues.

Caruso and Ingoglia filed a series of bills Sunday that would have helped carry out DeSantis’ immigration proposal. Caruso on Tuesday called the legislative plan a “facade,” while Ingoglia also questioned it.

"When I read this piece of legislation -- nobody’s telling me to say this -- I just do not think that this is going to the heart of the problem and I think it’s going to create more problems,” Ingoglia said.

But Gruters said it would help Trump’s immigration-enforcement efforts.

“Yes, it’s not the end-all solution,” Gruters said. “I think that this is a good policy for the state of Florida, and at the end of the day, go back to our president, Donald J. Trump. His main focus is immigration. His main focus is to try to do this right. And what we have in this bill, we’ve created not the perfect plan but … a very good plan for the state of Florida to follow.”

— News Service senior writer Dara Kam contributed to this report.

Grandkid Cuddles

Pop-pop’s Movie Night

Trusted Expertise for Your Brain and Spine

Hidden within the intricate folds of your brain are the pathways that lead to your thoughts, memories and dreams — the very essence of your human spirit. At the AdventHealth Brain and Spine Institute, our experts are dedicated to protecting those pathways. With state-of-the-art technology and groundbreaking treatments, we care for the most complex neurological conditions, so you can keep moving, keep dreaming and keep being your whole self.

OcalaSpineExperts.com

Big Belly Laughs

People, Places and Things

Chalk up the winners

Stunning sidewalk art earns prizes in OTrak event.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

The temperatures were brisk, but the sun put in a shining appearance for the OTrak Chalk Walk on Jan. 25. And, with the theme of “Natural Wonders, Great and Small,” focusing on Florida flora and fauna, even that bright orb got some competition.

Event judges such as Billye Mallory, with Fine Arts For Ocala, and Victoria Billig, assistant director of the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, had their work cut out for them as they viewed the numerous and vivid representations of birds, blossoms, fish, turtles, manatees, dolphins, butterflies and more.

The professional competition was open to artists working and residing in Florida. The student competition was open to middle and high school students from Marion County. The event was hosted by the city of Ocala’s Cultural Arts Division as part of the Tuscawilla Art Park Series and was sponsored by Fun4Ocala Kids.

The winners are: Professional competition: Best in Show: Justin Alsedek, $1,000 Second Place: Brian Morris, $500 People’s Choice: Laura Thomas, $250 Student competition: Best in Show: Charlotte Reed, $500 People’s Choice: Talia Martin, $100

Hilary Frambes of Bradenton works on her chalk art of a dolphin during the OTrak Chalk Walk. Numerous artists, many from out-of-town, competed in the event.

Justin Alsedek works on his award-winning “Hank The Hungry Bear” during the competition.

Ocala artists Jordan Shapot, left, and Justin Alsedek, right, pose by their chalk art during the competition.

Laura Thomas’ chalk art, which received the People’s Choice Award and a $250 cash prize, is shown.

Malcolm O’Mari Davis uses a supplied “magnifying glass” to examine Jordan Shapot’s chalk art titled “Magnified Beauty” during the OTrak Chalk Walk artists competition on Ocala’s OTrak near Tuscawilla Art Park in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Numerous artists, many from out-of-town, came to compete in the Chalk Art competition.

“Hank The Hungry Bear” won Best In Show and earned artist Justin Alsedek a $1,000 cash prize.

Lisa Sandrowicz’ chalk art of burrowing owls is titled “Family of Owls.”

Brian Morris’ chalk art placed second and received a $500 cash prize during the OTrak Chalk Walk.

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Reed and Martin also received

a one-year membership to the Marion Cultural Alliance and the Appleton Museum of Art, donated by the respective organizations.

The free event included musical and dance performances by local entertainers.

RICK STEVES’ EUROPE

Barcelona’s best day trips: Monasteries, beaches and Dalí sights

It’s hard to top Barcelona, Spain’s most cosmopolitan and fun city. But if you want a break from the crowds, several day trips from Barcelona are tempting scene-changers: the mountaintop monastery of Montserrat, the Salvador Dalí museum at Figueres, and the seaside towns of Cadaqués and Sitges.

For almost a thousand years, Benedictine monks have lived atop Montserrat – the “serrated mountain” – which dramatically rockets up from the valley floor northwest of Barcelona. With its unique rock formations and dramatic cliff-clinging monastery, this is an inviting excursion for pilgrims with (or without) hiking boots. A one-hour train ride from Barcelona links up with a rack railway or a cable car to get you to the lofty site. Serious pilgrims walk up.

Legend has it that in medieval times, shepherd children saw lights and heard songs coming from the mountain. They traced the activity to a cave, where they found a statue dubbed La Moreneta, the Black Virgin. The monastery quickly became a pilgrim magnet. The small wooden Mary is now behind protective glass in the Montserrat basilica, but the royal orb she

cradles in her hand is exposed, ready to receive the venerating touch of the faithful. Newlyweds, in particular, seek this Mary’s blessing.

For hikers and nature lovers, a funicular climbs nearly a thousand feet above the monastery. Up top, the air is fresh and the views are spectacular, sweeping (on the clearest days) from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees. From the trailhead here, well-signposted hikes radiate out.

If you’re a Dalí devotee, head to Figueres (two hours north of Barcelona) and the strange, fanciful Dalí Theater-Museum.

From the Figueres train station, it’s an easy 15-minute walk to the museum. You can’t miss it: It’s painted pink, studded with golden loaves of bread, and topped with monumental eggs and a geodesic dome. For fans of Surrealism and Dalí, it’s one of Europe’s most enjoyable museums.

Wandering around the building (a former theater), I can’t help but wonder: Am I crazy, or is it Dalí? Pop a coin into Dalí’s personal 1941 Cadillac, and it rains inside the car; peek into the Mae West room to see that the sofa lips, fireplace nostrils, painting eyes,

and drapery hair come together to make the face of the sultry actress. And Dalí himself is entombed in a crypt below center stage.

Nearby Cadaqués is a seaside gem at the easternmost tip of Spain. With whitewashed buildings and dreamy bay views, Cadaqués is idyllic and remotefeeling. It offers little in the way of sights, but the old town is remarkably characteristic; I love to stroll along the waterfront or climb to the Church of Santa Maria for commanding views from the top of town.

Most travelers in Cadaqués are here to see the home that Dalí shared with his wife (and muse) Gala. Together they converted a fisherman’s home – about a 20-minute walk from the city center – into their semipermanent residence. It was here that Dalí did his best work, and I consider it the most interesting home of a deceased personality in all of Europe. Though Dalí was raised in Figueres, he spent childhood summers in a family cabin here in Cadaqués, where he was fascinated by the rocky landscape that would later be the backdrop for many Surrealist canvases.

If you simply want to kick back without an agenda, take the

MAYO CLINIC

frequent 35-minute train service from Barcelona to welcoming Sitges. With a much slower pulse than Barcelona, this resort town southwest of the city is a perfect break from sightseeing. Sitges has jet-set status, but it’s hung on to its Old World charm while managing to be both family- and gay-friendly. There are Modernista-style mansions here and a few worthy little museums, but I recommend just poking around the old town’s whitewashed streets, crammed with cafés and boutiques. Then head for the water to soak up the sun, sea, and sand on one of nine beaches that extend southward. Along the way, you have your choice of restaurants and chiringuitos (beachfront bars) for tapas, paella, and drinks.

If you happen to visit during one of Sitges’ two big festivals (St. Bartholomew in late August and St. Tecla in late September), you may see teams of castellers competing to build human

pyramids up to 60 feet high. Balancing on the shoulders of the people below, the castellers are judged by how quickly they can assemble and take down their sky-scraping people towers. No one is really sure how this quirky tradition got its start, but it’s a perfect reflection of the region’s team-building bent.

Skipping out of Barcelona for the day is easy. Whether you experience the sacred, the surreal, or the seaside, you’ll return to the city recharged and ready for whatever it has in store.

(Rick Steves (www. ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

What do pharmacists do?

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m sure pharmacists are busy, but what do they do? No one likes to wait for a prescription, especially if you’re not feeling well. When you see a pharmacist on the news, you see them counting pills. When I get prescriptions filled, I see the pharmacist looking at a computer. What training do pharmacists have? And what do they do?

ANSWER: I’m glad you asked. Being a pharmacist is more complicated than it might look.

Pharmacists are quite educated, and they must be. Diseases and the medications used to treat them are complex. As therapies have become more advanced, so has pharmacist training.

Pharmacists have a minimum of five to six years of college, and some have eight years or more, plus one or two years of residency where they receive more training вЂ” just like

physicians. The final degree a pharmacist earns is called a doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.). After earning their advanced degree, graduates must earn a license by passing national and state board exams to become a registered pharmacist. To apply for pharmacy school, students must take the same basic undergraduate college courses as medical doctors, veterinarians and dentists, including calculus, chemistry, biology, physics and other courses. After these prerequisites are successfully passed with good grades, pharmacists take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), like the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) physicians take.

Pharmacy school is typically a three- or four-year program. Classes include infectious diseases, endocrinology,

gastroenterology, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems and more.

In most states, pharmacists also must take many hours of continuing education yearly to maintain their licenses and specialty certifications.

So, what is the pharmacist doing on the computer? The pharmacist must verify the prescription is formatted correctly and legally signed by the medical professional. The pharmacist must verify the prescription is appropriate for the patient and has proper directions. Pharmacists run drug interaction reports, review allergies and duration of therapy and screen for side effects.

Pharmacists are available to counsel patients on how to take the medication, side effects and drug interactions. Then pharmacists must dispense the amount the patient’s insurance allows. If the insurance does

not pay for the prescribed medication, the pharmacist must contact the healthcare professional to change the drug or the amount.

If the medication must be changed, sometimes research must be done to find a preferred medication that will be paid for by the patient’s insurance. Pharmacists do this while you wait because insurance will not guarantee payment to a pharmacy in the future, only on claims made in real time. This can extend the time it takes to fill a prescription.

Some pharmacists also administer immunizations, such as the flu shot and shingles shot.

In the case of patients receiving solid organ transplants, such as a kidney or heart transplant, pharmacist participation in direct patient care is required by the government. This is because the medical literature has shown

when a pharmacist is directly involved in the care of patients, medical outcomes for patients are improved and healthcare costs are saved.

Patients can help streamline the process of filling prescriptions:

• If you get a new insurance card, bring it to the pharmacy so your information can be updated.

• Provide your pharmacy with updated allergies, drug intolerances and medication changes so they can document it in your chart.

• If your healthcare professional sends a prescription to your pharmacy electronically, give the pharmacy some time to fill it. Consider checking your online patient portal or calling the pharmacy to ensure the prescription is ready before you go to get it.

The Dalí Theater-Museum is a treasure trove for fans of Surrealism. CREDIT: (Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves’ Europe).

Never married and never happier?

ore Americans are getting married later in life—if at all.

That's according to a 2023 report by the Pew Research Center, which analyzed Census Bureau data to reveal that a recordhigh share of Americans over 40 have never been married. One in 4 40-year-olds had never tied the knot as of 2021, up from 1 in 5 in 2010.

Forty-year-olds holding a bachelor's degree or higher were more likely to be married than those without a four-year college degree, the report found, and men were more likely to have never said "I do" than women.

This high marks a decades-long slide in marriage rates, coinciding with evolving social norms and drastic economic shifts. Since the early 1990s, as cohabitation started to become more socially acceptable, ideas about the necessity, importance, and timing of marriage—at least among some segments of the population—have dramatically changed.

In part, experts point to economic factors for the delay and decline in marriage rates. Women's economic gains in the workforce have made them less financially reliant on a wageearning spouse. The rising costs of raising a child, coupled with declining birth rates, have also driven down marriage rates.

Harder to measure, however, is the impact of shifting attitudes on purpose and fulfillment on marriage. While 7 in 10 Americans say marriage is important for a fulfilling life, just over half say that while it's important, it's not essential for both men and women, according to Pew Research. Broader recognition that marriage does not "complete" a person has made it a "nice to have"—for some— rather than the ultimate goal.

Bella DePaulo, a social scientist and "leading researcher of singlehood" told The Atlantic in 2022 that her "most authentic life" is while being single: "And single for me in the most single sense possible—I live alone, I don't date, I happily don't date, and that's the life that works best for me," she added.

While some Americans say that society is better off if more people are married, and about 4 in 10 believe marriage brings greater financial security, that's not enough to convince some people to walk down the aisle.

Salvador Espinoza, a 44-year-old from New York City, told Stacker that despite the fact he thinks marriage might "make sense legally" for insurance and taxes purposes, a relationship doesn't need to have a "seal of approval by some other authority."

Texas Marriage and Divorce Records looked at Census data and Pew Research to assess how single Americans have reexamined their relationship with marriage.

More Americans are delaying marriage

In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic may have expedited the delay in marriage and engagements. The lowest recorded number of marriages since 1963 occurred in 2020, according to a 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Overall, single adults aren't looking to rush into marriage, putting it off until when (and if) the time is right. A 2022 Pew survey found that approximately 1 in 5 single adults are interested in either casual dating or being in a committed relationship, compared to about 3 in 5 adults who weren't looking for any sort of dating relationship.

Gender differences also play out in relationship goals. Roughly 2 in 5 single women say they are strictly looking for a committed relationship compared to just a quarter of men, according to Pew's survey of single Americans. The survey also found that 56% of men and 44% of single women are flexible in their desire to pursue casual dating or a committed relationship.

As views on what it means to have a satisfying life have shifted, looser expectations about when a person "should" get married and diminishing stigma about being single have also pushed back marrying age. In 2023, Americans ranked having a gratifying job or career and close

friends higher than marriage and parenthood, according to Pew.

Finally, finances may drive couples together, or apart. Four in 10 adults who live with a partner say that moving in with their significant other "made sense financially." However, 53% of Americans believe there isn't much of a difference on whether married or unmarried couples have it easier becoming financially secure.

As more couples cohabitate, marriage rates decline

In the 1990s, more couples began cohabiting, with the practice preceding over half of marriages formed from 19901994. From there, it became an increasingly acceptable and even institutionalized step prior to marriage.

Today, half of Americans say couples who live together before getting married are more likely to have successful relationships. Cohabitation is now the norm, with 59% of adults between ages 18 and 44 having lived with an unmarried partner at some point in their relationship, according to

National Survey of Family Growth data analyzed by Pew. That's compared to 50% of respondents who have ever been married.

As "gray divorces" among adults over 50 rise, cohabitation rates are also changing. The share of divorced adults aged 50 and over is three times higher than it was in 1990, rising from roughly 5% to about 15% in 2022, according to a 2024 report from the National Center for Family & Marriage Research. In 2022, the number of cohabiting adults aged 50 and older was almost quadruple what it was in 2000.

Increasingly, however, cohabitation is not a step on the path to marriage, but a destination in itself. When asked whether they believe being married is needed in order to have a fulfilling life, 3 in 10 adults said it's not important.

Despite the normalization of cohabitation with no intention of getting married, views on unmarried couples with children are more divided. In 2020, 29% of Americans believed that it was "very important" for couples with children to be married, down from 38% who held this view in 2013 and 49% in 2006. Yet views are clearly changing: A majority of people believe that unmarried couples can raise them "just as well as married couples," according to Pew data from 2019.

Crucially, as rates of cohabitation have increased, declining birth rates have pushed down the number of households with children, according to 2023 Census Bureau data.

For Espinoza, having children is on his mind more than before. If he were to enter a long-term relationship with someone who did want to get married, he would be amenable to it, but doesn't "see it as a necessity."

"I think we were growing up in the ages where that was viewed as part of the timeline," Espinoza said. "But I don't think that's quite necessary."

This story originally appeared on Texas Marriage and Divorce Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

LOCAL

government

FEBRUARY 3, 10, 17, 24

Marion County Development Review

O ce of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala

9am The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion.fl.legistar.com/calendar. aspx for agenda and minutes.

FEBRUARY 4, 18

Marion County Board of County Commissioners

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am

The commission meets in the morning of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

Ocala City Council

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm

The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

Belleview City Commission

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

Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendas-minutes

FEBRUARY 19

Dunnellon City Council

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr. 5:30pm Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_ id=1

community

JANUARY 31

“Never Give Up on Country” Concert

Sheltair Aviation, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala

7:30pm to 9pm

The Travis Mills Foundation will host its fourth “Never Give Up On Country” concert in Marion County. Headlining the concert will be country music artist Chris Janson, known for his charttopping hits such as “Buy Me a Boat” and “Good Vibes.” Chris McNeil also will perform. The concert, along with its sponsors and the community, has raised more than $1 million in support of the foundation, which supports “recalibrated” veterans. Tickets are $50, with the option to purchase a meal from Mission BBQ, and can be purchased at nevergiveuponcountry.eventbrite.com

FEBRUARY 22-23

Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band Anniversary Concert Marion Technical Institute, 1614 NE Fort King St., Ocala Sat at 2pm; Sun at 3pm The Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band celebrates 35 years with a pair of shows. Directed by J. Craig Lilly, the concerts will highlight the past, present and future of the band. The opening act will be Uniqulele, an “a capella instrumental” ensemble of five. Entry to the concerts is free. Learn more at kingdomofthesunband.org

FEBRUARY 23

National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors: Chapter 156 Meeting

VFW Building, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala

9am to 12pm Meeting on the fourth Sunday of each month, NAWCC members come together to share a set of antique clocks and watches, some on display and some for sale. These meetings are open to the public, with an opportunity to buy and sell their own clocks. For more information, call Skip Carter at (352) 789-8198.

FEBRUARY 1

Free First Saturday

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

10am to 5pm

Entry is free for all patrons on the first Saturday of each month, typically with special programming or presentations. For more information, visit appletonmuseum.org

Ocala Art Group’s 75th Anniversary Reception, Painting Demo and Exhibition

Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

11am to 3pm The Ocala Art Group will host a reception to commemorate its 75th anniversary and to open a new exhibition by one of the members. The event will feature live art and music, an auction and information about classes and live events. For more information, visit ocalaartgroup.org

FEBRUARY 11

Ira Holmes International Film Series: “Hit The Road” Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala / 3001 SW College Rd., Ocala 2pm to 3:30pm at Appleton; 7pm to 9pm at CF

The 2021 film from Iran is about a family of four, three adults and a child, on a road trip across Iran. Entry at the Appleton is free for all members, while non-members must pay admission. Entry at CF is free for all patrons. For more information, visit cf.edu/student-life/arts-and-culture/internationalfilm-series/

ON-GOING

Winter Classes at OCT

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Times vary “The Studio: Stage Combat” is for students ages 13 to 17 and will go over the fundamentals of stage fighting, from slaps and punches to headlocks and hair-pulls slaps, in a way that is safe and repeatable. “PIVOT! IMPROV” is for adults ages 18+, teaching the basics and core principles of improv, such as “yes, and” and other games and activities. Visit ocalacivictheatre.com/wp-content/ uploads/2024/12/Academy-brochure-Season-74.pdf to learn more.

things to do arts

FEBRUARY 1

Brick City Bluegrass Festival Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 1pm to 7pm Downtown Ocala will be transformed into a vibrant celebration of Appalachia during this second annual festival. Listen to a medley of Bluegrass style music from national and local bands, featuring The Wandering Hours, Unspoken Traditions, East Nash Grass, Pert Near Sandstone and Arkansauce. Visit ocala .gov/government/city-departments-i-z/recreation-parks/special-events/bluegrass-bbq to learn more.

FEBRUARY 2

Glenn Miller Orchestra Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 3pm The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays a big band style of music, featuring the instrumentation of clarinets, saxes, trombones, trumpets and more. Named for the big band leader Glenn Miller, the music is a unique mix of sounds from the 1930s, ‘40s, and today. Find the details at reillyartscenter. com

FEBRUARY 6-23

“Daddy Long Legs” Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Showtimes vary Based on the 1955 film with Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, this clever two-person musical reveals the secret of happiness. Visit ocalacivictheatre.com for all the details.

FEBRUARY 15-16

Sound and Fury

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala

7:30pm & 3pm Embark on a journey from the Scottish coasts to the depths of human emotion and the heights of heroic triumph, with Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture” and Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com

FEBRUARY 23

Opera at the Reilly: Puccini Love and Laughter

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala

3pm

The University of Florida Opera Theatre and OSO present two of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest works, “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi.” Both are one-act operas with supertitles. Find out more at reillyartscenter.com

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be ﬁlled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

Knap-In Prehistoric Arts Festival coming up soon

The event on Feb. 15 and 16 will showcase specialists in native skills, such as those who make stone tools and carve dugout canoes.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center, located inside Silver Springs State Park, holds a treasure trove of artifacts from days gone by. The center and its surrounding area, which includes a Pioneer Village, also serves as a place where people with expert skills share their knowledge with visitors.

On Feb. 15 and 16, guests at the Silver River Knap-in Prehistoric Arts Festival will be able to watch as flint knappers, who are those who make stone tools such as spear points, as well as archaeologists, shell carvers, potters, hide tanners, bow makers, dugout canoe carvers and other specialists in native skills will gather from across the U.S. to demonstrate their crafts.

The unique event will offer displays of ancient Native American stone tools from Florida as well as hands-on activities such as archery and pottery making.

Vendors will offer unique crafts and food for sale. Visitors also can tour the Silver River Museum, hike or bike the trails of the state park, or canoe and kayak on the pristine Silver River.

Hours for the 14th annual event are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. There will be free entry to the park and free parking. Admission to the festival is $10 per person; those ages 5 and younger will

be admitted free. Pay by cash or mobile pay by phone at the entry gate, located at 1445 NE 58th Ave., Ocala. All proceeds will support educational programs at the Silver River Museum, which is a program of Marion County Schools.

For more information, go to silverrivermuseum.com or call (352) 236-5401.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

IN RE: ESTATE OF CAMILLE RICCOBONO, Deceased. File No.: 25CP000124AX Division: KING

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of CAMILLE RICCOBONO, deceased, whose date of death was October 10, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475, file number 25CP000124AX, Division KING. 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 decedent's Estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN 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 SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE 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.

A personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the Decedent’s death by the Decedent or the Decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in Sections 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless written demand is made by a creditor as specified under Section 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is January 31, 2025. Attorney for Personal Representative: Personal Representative: ERIC H. LIGHT Florida Bar No. 0446769 Eric H. Light, P.A. 621 NW 53rd Street, Suite 125 Boca Raton, Florida 33487 Telephone: (561) 226-4622 Fax: (561) 9482683 Email: ELight@ EricLightLaw.com

ANTHONY MICHAEL RICCOBONO 7089 SW 179th Court Road Dunnellon, Florida 34432

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF HALE RALPH STANCIL a/k/a HALE R. STANCIL Deceased. FILE NO.: 2025-CP-0019 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of HALE RALPH STANCIL a/k/a HALE R. STANCIL, deceased, whose date of death was March 21, 2024; is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2025-CP-0019; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney is 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 JANUARY 24, 2025.

Personal Representative: REBECCA F. STANCIL 2750 N.W. 72nd Court, Ocala, Florida 34482

Attorney for Personal Representative: DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 DAVIS

These types of stone points will be featured during the Silver River Knap-in Prehistoric Arts Festival on Feb. 15 and 16 at Silver Springs State Park. [Submitted photo]

Pottery and points such as these may be seen during the 14th annual event. [Submitted photo]

AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN

Accompanied by pops of vibrant citrus, kale salad can brighten your day

We wanted to create a makeahead salad that would complement and enhance a main course. Using kale as the hearty base meant the dish could be dressed and ready to go hours ahead of time without compromising taste, texture, or appearance. Adding raw kohlrabi meant minimal preparation with maximum crunch. Taking advantage of seasonal fruit, we incorporated orange to add a bright burst of color and refreshing, juicy, and sweet flavor. To tie the salad together, we infused cumin into both a punchy vinaigrette and crunchy pecans.

Kale Salad with Kohlrabi, Orange, and Candied Pecans

Serves 6 to 8

1 large egg white

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt, divided Pinch cayenne pepper 1 cup pecans 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 3 tablespoons cider vinegar 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 oranges

12 ounces (10 cups) curly kale, stemmed and chopped

2 ounces (2 cups) frisee, torn into bite-size pieces

8 ounces (1 cup) kohlrabi, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk egg white in a bowl until frothy. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and

By The Mepham Group

When the U.S., Mint asked its employees to work overtimem they MADE MORE MONEY

pinch of cayenne; whisk until combined. Add pecans and stir to evenly coat.

2. Spread pecans on prepared sheet in a single layer and bake until deeply browned and fragrant, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through baking. Transfer sheet to wire rack and let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Transfer pecans to a cutting board and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. (Pecans can be stored at room temperature for up to one week.)

3. Meanwhile, whisk 3 tablespoons each oil, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, remaining 1 teaspoon cumin, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt together in a small bowl. Cut

away peel and pith from oranges. Quarter oranges, then slice crosswise 1/4-inch thick. 4. Combine kale and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large bowl. Gently knead and squeeze kale until leaves are evenly coated, have started to soften, and are slightly wilted, about 1 minute. Add oranges, pecans, frisee, kohlrabi, and vinaigrette and toss until well combined. Transfer salad to platter and serve. Recipe note: Salad can be stored at room temperature for up to three hours or refrigerated for up to two days; if refrigerating, add pecans just before serving.

WEC pastry chef named semifinalist in James Beard Awards

Staff report

Yohann Le Bescond, executive pastry chef at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards in the category of Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker.

The news release noted that the awards recognize eateries and chefs exhibiting “exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, sustainability, and creating a culture where all can thrive,” according to the James Beard Foundation.

Le Bescond and his team provide French desserts and other creations at WEC’s Emma’s Patisserie and restaurants on the property.

“It’s an incredible honor to be selected as a semifinalist by the James Beard Foundation,” he said in the release.

The award winners will be announced June 16.

To learn more, go to jamesbeard. org and wec.net

Broom

Sudoku

Hearty kale can be dressed and ready hours ahead. CREDIT: (Elizabeth Fuller/TCA).

Yohann Le Bescond, executive pastry chef at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. [Photo by Meagan Gumpert, MAVEN Photo + Film]

Sports Hurricanes blow past Rattlers

Balanced offense paces Lake Weir over Belleview.

By Mark Pinson

Special to the Ocala Gazette

Lake Weir placed three players in double figures and a swarming Hurricanes’ defense forced 20 turnovers in a 67-33 win over Belleview on Jan. 24. The loss dropped the Class 5A Rattlers to 6-14 on the season, while the victory improved Class 4A Lake Weir to 13-9. Both teams struggled to score

in the opening minutes of the game before Belleview junior guard Malik Cauthen drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key and converted a pair of free throws to give the Rattlers a 7-6 lead midway through the first quarter. Lake Weir responded with a run sparked by sophomore Brandon Smith Jr., who poured in six of his game-high 12 points, while senior forward John Smith added a putback to give the Hurricanes a 14-8 lead heading to the second period.

Belleview stayed within striking distance as Tahj Alderman and Ches Simmons each scored four points and Cauthen added five of his teamhigh 10 points. Lake Weir’s John Smith buried back-to-back 3-pointers as part of a 10-point night, senior forward Alcarlos Richard had a pair of rebound baskets and Brandon Smith Jr. had a steal and an emphatic dunk to give the Hurricanes a 32-22 lead at the half.

Belleview struggled to find any kind of offense in the third period as cold shooting and turnovers forced by the Lake Weir defense led to easy baskets for the Hurricanes. Angel Henderson knocked down a long 3-pointer, junior guard Amar Young scored four of his 11 points and Richard added a pair of baskets in the paint to give the Hurricanes a commanding 47-25 lead heading to the final eight minutes.

Lake Weir continued to force the action as Young and Antonio Jackson nailed a pair of 3-pointers, as did Quran Lighty. Belleview’s Anthony Klima scored four points, but the Hurricanes extended their lead to 35 points as Kevin Shell scored four points. The large lead forced a running clock for the remainder of the game.

North Marion eases past Vanguard

Hot start paces Colts to win over Knights.

By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette

After splitting their first two games, Jan. 28’s third clash between Vanguard and North Marion would settle bragging rights for the regular season between the county rivals.

North Marion used a hot hand in the first quarter to build a big lead and the Colts’ coasted to a 64-51 win over the Knights. The victory improved North Marion, which placed four players in double figures, to an impressive 16-6 on the season.

“We started fast and shot the ball extremely well in that first quarter,” said North Marion coach Tim Yarn. “I think our energy was good and we kind of set the tone on the defensive end. We were balanced on offense and played unselfish basketball. When we do that and rebound the ball, we’re a hard team to deal with. It’s always good to get a win against your rival.”

The loss dropped Vanguard, which trailed by 14 points after the first quarter, to 11-12 overall.

“We haven’t responded to adversity very well this season,” said Knights coach Travis Licht. “It’s been an issue all year and we have to figure out a way to mature a little more going into the post-season.”

North Marion had the home fans in a frenzy from the opening tip as senior forward Elijah Lee scored eight of his 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers and sophomore forward Lamont Sweeting Jr. added five of his 11 points as the Colts stormed out to a 20-6 lead. Vanguard regrouped and sliced into its deficit as junior guard Brandon Haughton

scored five of his team-high 13 points, while senior guard Derek Singleton splashed a trey as part of his 12 points.

North Marion senior forward De’Marion Bentley scored five points as the Colts took a 31-19 lead into the half.

Vanguard struggled to put the ball in the basket in the third period and North Marion capitalized as junior guard Jerdarrius Jackson scored four points, senior Coy Sizemore drained a 3-pointer as part of a 12-point night and junior Tekelvin Jackson knocked down a trey from the right wing at the buzzer to give the Colts their biggest lead of the game at 45-27 heading to the final quarter.

Vanguard refused to go down without a fight and rallied behind Singleton’s six points and eight points from Haughton to close within eight points midway through the final stanza. North Marion stayed composed and with the lead, ran time off the clock with each possession while looking for a good shot. Sizemore scored on a driving layup, Sweeting scored on a putback and Toure James scored seven of his 11 points to clinch the win for the Colts.

“We made some good decisions down the stretch and held on for the victory,” coach Yarn said.

North Marion wraps up its regular season on Jan. 31 with a road game at Forest High. The Colts, the No. 1 seed, get a first-round bye and begin play in the Class 4A-District 5 tournament on Feb. 5 against the winner of Eastside and Dunnellon. The district championship game will be held Feb. 7.

Lake Weir’s Savion Littles (33) takes the ball away from Belleview’s Malik. Cauthen (0) during a basketball game at Lake Weir High School in Candler, Fla. on Friday, January 24, 2025. Lake Weir won the game 67-33.

Lake Weir’s Amar Young (11) shoots for two over Belleview’s Garett Buchkovich (20) during a basketball game at Lake Weir High School in Candler, Fla. on Friday, January 24, 2025. Lake Weir won the game 67-33. [

Lake Weir’s Brandon Smith Jr. (1) goes airborne to the hoop as he splits Belleview defenders Malik Cauthen (13) and Ches Simmons( 22) during a basketball game at Lake Weir High School in Candler, Fla. on Friday, January 24, 2025. Lake Weir won the game 67-33.

North Marion's Coy Sizemore (12) steals the ball from Vanguard's Derek Singleton (2) during a basketball game at North Marion High School in Citra, Fla. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. North Marion won the game 64-51.

North Marion's Elijah Lee (24) steals the ball from Vanguard's Matt Dial (45) during a basketball game at North Marion High School in Citra, Fla. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. North Marion won the game 64-51.

Vanguard's Kevin Campbell (4) looks for a shot on

the hoop as he is defended by North Marion's Elijah Lee (24) during a basketball game at North Marion High School in Citra, Fla. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. North Marion won the game

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette