Ocala Gazette | December 16 - December 22, 2022

Teacher of the Year finalists for 2023 announced

10 Days Until Christmas

Ocala Electric Utilities may have to increase rates again

Electric utilities around Florida are poised to ring in the new year with rate hikes, and indications are that the Ocala Electric Utility may join those utilities in increasing their customers’ monthly bills.

While no new rate increase has been announced, rates rose steadily this year and, despite that, Ocala is facing a roughly $25 million deficit in the amount of revenue versus costs of generating electricity this fiscal year.

“The city’s final fuel cost for FY22 totaled $147,625,935 of which the city recovered $123,411,633, leaving the total under-collected balance of $24,214,302,” said Ashley Dobbs, the City of Ocala’s communications manager. She said city officials are evaluating if additional fuel cost recovery payments will be needed.

Six special teachers received a big surprise in their classrooms on Friday: a golden apple. This was no ordinary apple—the award signified the educators’ nominations for 2023 Teacher of the Year and one teacher’s award as the 2023 Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Lindsey Bigelow from Ocala Springs Elementary School, John Gibb from Lake Weir High School, Cheryl Goldner from Saddlewood Elementary School,

In addition, Jennifer Bachman from Hammett L. Bowen Jr. Elementary School won the 2023 Rookie Teacher of the Year. Erin Webber, a guidance clerk and front desk receptionist from Fort McCoy School, won the MCPS School-Related Employee of the Year. The Above and Beyond Award went to Mark White, a technical service and school maintenance

worker at Vanguard High School.

The nomination process begins when each school selects its choices for Teacher and Rookie Teacher of the Year. All of these teachers create a written portfolio that is reviewed by a committee who narrows down candidates and conducts interviews to make the final selection of nominees, said Meghan Magamoll, executive director of the Public Education Foundation.

“The Golden Apple program is able to

See Golden Apple, page A2

Ocala’s fire fee strategies were flawed from inception to $80 million judgment

OEU is not alone among Florida utilities in dealing with economic pressures. Duke Energy, Florida Public Utilities Co., and Tampa Electric Co. are all set to increase customers’ rates beginning in January 2023.

Rates already have been rising for OEU customers. The electrical Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) rate has tripled since the start of 2022. In January, OEU consumers were paying $0.01400 as the PCA rate. In February, the rate doubled to $0.02800 and remained there until the end of May. In June it rose again, to $0.05600, and this is what customers of OEU have been paying since then. These cost increases were put in place to combat volatile fuel prices. The city also has been tapping into its Rate Stabilization Reserve (RSR), which is designed to help when unanticipated fuel costs arise and need to be compensated without drastically affecting the consumers’ bills.

OEU gets billed by Florida Municipal Power Agency for its utility costs. Consumer payments generate revenue that is given partially to the city account and partially to fund the RSR.

Newly released transcripts of closed-door meetings between the Ocala City Council and its legal representatives pull back the curtain on how city leaders for years devised various strategies for handling the city’s controversial fire service user fee litigation. It’s not a pretty read.

From indications that the legal experts urged the council to blaze a trail on shaky legal grounds to initiate a first-of-its-kind user fee, to extensive damage control efforts when the ground began to crumble, to disparaging personal attacks on opposing counsel, the records show a legal team more intent on litigating until the bitter end than admitting they were wrong.

The 2006 city council decision to impose a monthly fire service fee on roughly 89,000 Ocala Electric

Utility customers prompted a 2014 class-action suit that challenged the legality of the fee. An appellate court ultimately found the fees constituted

an illegal tax, and in 2021, a judge ordered the city to devise a way to refund $80 million to affected utility customers.

The city struggled to find the money for the refunds, at one point

See Fire Fee, page A4

The RSR has approximately $12.9 million as of the end of November. However, this is not enough as the October PCA projection report shows the $25 million shortfall. This deficit has been on the rise since July, with more money coming out of the RSR than going in.

Ocala City Council member James Hilty said that per council orders, the amount of money in the RSR should be between 15% to 25% of the annualized collection in a given year.

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Eight years of closed-door deliberations between Ocala City Council members and their attorneys on this controversial episode are revealed.

Deficits can only be combatted through PCA rate changes, Dobbs said, so if the deficit is to be relieved, it will be through a rate increase.

Hilty said OEU uses natural gas, wind, and solar power in operating its electric plants. Hilty said natural gas prices have been spiking significantly above what the city projected last year.

“Economic factors during FY22 caused numerous increases driving energy prices up and consequently the city’s PCA rate,” Dobbs said.

There are multiple factors that impact PCA rates. Some are environmental determinants and base rates. This year, a major reason is an increase in the cost of natural gas used to power electrical plants.

Continued from page A1

encourage them and say, “We see you. We believe in you, and we want to lift you up and celebrate the work that you do every day,’ even though they don‘t expect it,” said Magamoll.

Bigelow teaches third grade at Ocala Springs Elementary, but previously taught kindergarten and first grade at the school. She has taught for 10 years and has spent her entire educational career in MCPS. Bigelow is a former MCPS student and also coaches varsity cheerleading at Forest High School.

Gibb teaches pre-International Baccalaureate English, English 1, Honors English 2 and journalism classes at Lake Weir High School. Gibb has been a teacher for seven years, all of which have been spent in MCPS. In 2018, Gibb was awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year while working at LWHS.

Goldner is a math and science teacher for fourth grade students at Saddlewood Elementary School. This is Goldner’s sixth year teaching in MCPS. Her classroom is an “Exceptional Student Education

(ESE) inclusion room with diverse levels of learners, including those with learning disabilities,” she said via LinkedIn.

Huggins teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grade at Belleview Middle School. She specializes in health sciences and teaches introductory classes. Huggins also serves as the faculty adviser for HOSA, a student-led organization for future health professionals. She has been a teacher for 20 years, 15 of which have been spent in MCPS.

Roche is an art teacher for every grade level at Maplewood Elementary School. She has taught at Maplewood Elementary for 10 years. Before teaching at Maplewood Elementary, she taught at Emerald Shores Elementary for 13 years.

The award of Rookie Teacher of the Year goes to educators with no more than

three years of classroom experience. This year’s recipient, Bachman, teaches ESE. She has taught at Hammett L. Bowen Jr. Elementary School for one and a half years, with two and a half total years of classroom experience.

The five finalists for 2023 Teacher of the Year and the winner of the 2023 Rookie Teacher of the Year will be honored at the Golden Apple Gala on Feb. 4. The Teacher of the Year winner will be announced then, and they will walk away with a new car, a pre-paid three-year lease from Jenkins Auto Group.

“Recognizing our teachers validates the work that they are doing,” said Magamoll. “Most of our teachers are humble. They serve our students day in and day out without an expectation of a reward.”

Marion County Fire Union advocates for first responders

Danny Garcia recently addressed the Marion County Board of County Commissioners for the final time as the president of the union representing local firefighters, and his message echoed his previous advocacy efforts for firefighters‘ causes.

At the board’s Dec. 6 meeting, Garcia first introduced Rolin Boyd, his successor as president of the Professional Firefighters of Marion County, and then reiterated his concerns from his last speech regarding the budget allotted for Marion County Fire Rescue.

“We’re wasting millions of taxpayer dollars by accepting the excess of overtime costs and accepting the loss on investment for our high employee turnover rather than invest that money directly into the workforce,” he said.

Garcia said the county was $3.8 million over budget in its first responder overtimes costs this year.

Also, he said, the resignations of almost 70 MCFR employees meant the county lost about $1 million in training costs and other investments in the employees.

Garcia said from an employee perspective, it feels like the commissioners support the fire department, but not the needs of individual firefighters and first responders.

He cited several former and current employees of MCFR who have not received the medical or financial support they are entitled to from the county.

Most recently, he said, a retired lieutenant firefighter applied for the Florida Firefighter Cancer Benefit after being diagnosed with terminable but treatable cancer but was denied those benefits by the county despite being eligible for them. Garcia says the former lieutenant has pursued legal action against Marion County with the help of the PFMC.

Garcia said a current MCFR lieutenant

recently contracted hepatitis A while serving in an area in Marion County with a known outbreak of the disease. The county initially denied his worker’s comp claim but ultimately approved it after the lieutenant pursued legal action.

“We have an opportunity to make a commitment to the improved health of our fire department,” he said.

“The level of emergency services offered to the citizens is both a decision and a choice, and we hope that you make the right one.”

BOCC chairman Craig Curry said it is important to him to visit all the fire departments and get to know the employees on a one-on-one basis, and he plans to do that this term.

Curry also said employee retention is of significant interest to the board, and he has begun to look into individual factors that contribute to the issues Garcia brought forth.

The PFMC is expected to enter negotiations with BOCC regarding the yearly contract and the county budget this week.

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Fire union president says the BOCC doesn’t care for individual needs.

“The level of emergency services offered to the citizens is both a decision and a choice, and we hope that you make the right one.”

Danny Garcia, President Marion County Fire Union

A call to action for Marion County residents.

First, the good news. The elected representatives of the most powerful government entities in Marion County met last week to discuss one of the most important growth issues facing the county today- school infrastructure.

Now, the bad news. Several of these public servants, and their powerful business allies, set about steamrolling a presumed partner in serving the public’s best interest, all while smiling and promising closer cooperation.

Let’s set the stage. For only the second time in 12 years, Marion County commissioners and members of the Marion County School Board and the Ocala City Council met for three hours on Wednesday to review an updated interlocal agreement on how they will share information about developments, resources and needs, among other items.

Leaders from all of the municipalities in Marion County were invited. There also were about 50 other attendees, including business leaders, developers, concerned citizens and the Gazette.

After pledging to work better together, they got down to business. And, naturally for Marion County, business was the first out of the chute.

Kevin Sheilley, CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber for Economic Partnership, spoke about the group’s efforts to drive growth in manufacturing, logistics, health and office space. He also addressed questions he receives from businesses that are considering moving here. County Commissioner Michelle Stone helped set the tone by asking Sheilley, “In your interactions with those [businesses] looking into Marion County, is there anything you need these bodies to address specifically?”

Sheilley pointed to concerns of lack of housing for the workforce these companies would attract.

He also mirrored in his response something County Commissioner

Craig Curry mentioned earlier: Ocala’s urban growth boundary (UGB) was fair game for urban development since so many other acres had been set aside for preservation through the county’s Farmland Preservation Area and the U.S. Forest Service.

This was notable because county commissioners continue to approve urban development outside these local boundaries.

The workshop was specifically called to address the school district’s pinch with rapid growth and lack of funding to meet the demand for facilities. After Sheilley’s presentation, county staff detailed the developments that have recently been approved, and the numbers are staggering. Countywide, at least 34,000 residential units (single-family and multifamily) can apply for a building permits.

These thousands of new homes mean more people, many of whom will be parents who expect their children will attend a nearby local school, some of which are reaching capacity. The school district doesn’t have enough money to adequately maintain existing facilities let alone build any new schools.

School district representatives gave a detailed presentation that clearly articulated their critical funding situation to the officials in the room who decide the level of growth in the county.

Why, you might ask, doesn’t the school district have enough money to keep pace with growth? State guidelines have changed over the last decade, and there are few funding opportunities. The district is likely to ask the county to bring back impact fees next year, but even if these one-time assessments on new building return, it will take years before enough money is raised to build a single new school.

Keep in mind, Florida statutes already restrict the number of students the district can place in a classroom.

School district leaders did not hear any commissioner echo Stone’s request to Sheilley – What do you need from us? The

response instead seemed to be a collective yawn and the tacit implication that this problem is the school district’s alone to fix with the state.

Stone said all possibilities should be explored, even one far-fetched idea: Could we ship our kids to schools in other counties if they were in proximity to them?

Curry said the district should not think about erecting a new administrative building, which was an interesting response considering no such construction is in the district’s plans. District administrators now are working out of a school since the administration building has been deemed unsafe for reasons all due to lack of maintenance- a glaring example of the funding inferno the district is facing.

Ocala City Council member Barry Mansfield, a general contractor, told the Gazette after the meeting that he thought the district’s maintenance numbers were high. He added he wanted to be sure the school district’s actions in no way impacted the city’s ability to make development decisions.

Ironically, the business leaders and government officials who are focused on enhancing the local economy missed the obvious: The largest employer in Marion County is the school district. And some of the most important growth and development work involves our schools.

The proposed interlocal agreement does not mention the Florida statute that gives communities facing this crisis the choice of establishing a school concurrency policy. Without this policy implemented in local comprehensive plans, there is no way the school district can compel developers pay their fair share of the increased costs their projects create.

Additionally, commissioners and council members have their hands tied if they even want to consider school capacity when making development decisions due to the lack of a policy.

This past year, city council was in that position when a proposal came before them to build hundreds of apartments across the street from Saddlewood Elementary, which is at capacity and cannot add more portables. The council’s attorney told them they cannot factor school capacity in their decision because it is not included in the city’s land use policy.

At one point, Sheilley said Marion County could use more office and industrial space built to lure businesses.

It made us feel uncomfortable to hear, “Let’s do more” when we haven’t addressed sufficiently how to deal with what we already have. Or, in the case of school capacity, what we don’t have.

County and Ocala officials pushed to get this latest iteration of the interlocal agreement finalized and accepted by Feb. 15. The agreement in its current form, though, leaves the school district powerless to push back against the consequences of the county and city’s development decisions.

District officials said they were waiting

on data from an independent study on what they’d need for planning, but that could take months. The county and city told them, just sign the agreement and we can amend it later, if need be.

We must point out that the parties’ lax compliance with the current agreement significantly contributed to this mess in the first place.

The original 2008 interlocal agreement outlined school capacity percentages for schools, but the county and city pulled out of that part of the agreement in 2011 after the state left it to local officials to decide whether school concurrency should be considered. The district put up no fight because there wasn’t much growth happening then. A lot has changed locally.

According to the stats Sheilley shared, 192 people a week are moving to Marion County. The school district noted there is a higher percentage of families than retirees in the mix.

Marion County residents have repeatedly shown they care about quality education by supporting extra taxes to finance school programs. It’s time once again to let your voices be heard.

The city and county’s economic development decisions have come with a cost, and the community demands policies be put in place that return school capacity to the list of factors considered during each development decision.

We ask our readers to reach out to your elected public servants asking that a school concurrency policy be put in place and that you want them to make development decisions and work with the school district like it’s one of the most important business interests in town. Because it is.

Here are their emails:

Marion County County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes - Mounir. Bouyounes@marionfl.org

County Commissioners

Kathy Bryant- kathy.bryant@marionfl. org

Carl Zalak - Carl.Zalak@marioncountyfl. org Michelle Stone - Michelle.Stone@ marioncountyfl.org

Craig Curry - craig.curry@ marioncountyfl.org

Jeff Gold - Jeff.Gold@marioncountyfl.org

City of Ocala

City Manager Peter Lee- PLee@Ocalafl.org

City Council

Kristen M. Dreyer- kdreyer@ocalafl.org James Hilty - JHilty@ocalafl.org

Barry Mansfield- bmansfield@cityfl.org Jay Musleh - jmusleh@ocalafl.org

Ire Bethea - ibethea@ocalafl.org

Seat Capacity: Enrolled:

Anticipated new students based on approved development:

Seat Capacity: Enrolled:

Anticipated new students based on approved development:

Seat Capacity: Enrolled:

Anticipated new students based on approved development:

Seat Capacity: Enrolled: Anticipated new students based on approved development:

even exploring bankruptcy. Ultimately, council pulled $20 million from reserves and took out a loan for $60 million. Millions of dollars in refund checks have already been issued and cashed- and some people owed money cannot be located.

The shade meeting transcripts, which the Gazette has spent months fighting for, provide fresh insight into the tortuous eight-year legal path the case has taken. What did the city council members and their attorney’s dialogue look like during this time? Here is a link to the transcripts for you to read them for yourself: https://bit. ly/3VL2Nha

The following are several key takeaways:

On the advice of counsel

Under well-established Florida law, fire services can only be funded through impact fees, special assessments, and property taxes. In 2006, Ocala was looking for a way to cover an estimated $5 million to $8 million budget shortfall they felt was brought on largely by those who were receiving fire services but not paying for them; mainly renters, nonprofits and other entities that do not pay property taxes.

The city council decided to add a monthly fire service user fee to every Ocala utility customer’s bill. For residential customers, it was around $15, but commercial users paid much higher rates based on their business and its square footage.

The city council relied on two legal opinions for originally enacting the fire user fee in 2006.

One opinion was issued by Terry E. Lewis of the firm of Lewis, Longman, & Walker, and another one by the city attorney, Patrick Gilligan, who served as the city’s lead attorney for decades.

Both attorneys agreed the city legally could charge user fees for traditional utilities, such as electricity, natural gas, water, trash disposal and sewer services. But they indicated there was no case law supporting whether fire services could be funded by a user fee, so there could be problems if the city were to be challenged.

Florida’s attorney general, however, had issued opinions on whether municipalities could charge user fees for fire-related costs, in 1974, 1982, and 1991. In short, the answer was “no.”

The attorney general’s opinion was basically that a city cannot charge “user fees” for public safety services available to the general public because government owes citizens those services, regardless of who the user is and what they paid for it.

Nevertheless, Ocala’s attorneys vigorously, and erroneously, argued for

years that case law allowing municipalities to charge user fees for utilities allowed Ocala to impose a user fee for a public safety service.

Equally concerning was that the city’s lawyers told city council for years that other Florida communities were charging fire user fees and that the courts had issued conflicting judgments on these user fees. Nowhere in the transcripts could the Gazette find any moment when the attorneys spelled out to the council they were about to become a statewide trailblazer litigating for their right to charge fire user fees.

Gilligan told the council during their first shade meeting in March 2014: “There have been, to our knowledge, two other fire user fees enacted by other municipalities and county governments in the State of Florida. The first was the City of Tallahassee, and they did it in conjunction with Leon County. So, both Leon County and the City of Tallahassee enacted a user fee together way back when, before even the City of Ocala did.”

“That user fee is currently being challenged in a class action, but not for the reason ours is being challenged. Ours is being challenged as it’s not a valid user fee. That user fee is being challenged as a class action by the class representative saying that you’re only charging people that rent their property, or people that rent the property are having to pay the user fee not the actual landlords. I suspect they did that because it’s a college town, and between FSU, and A & M, and the junior college there, they’ve got a lot of people that rent apartments, and so they pay the user fee and not the actual landlord that owns the property,” Gilligan told city council.

“I don’t have any comment other than to let you know that it’s out there, but they’re not even challenging the validity of the user fee. They’re just assuming it’s valid. They’re just challenging it for the way it’s being billed.”

But that comparison does not hold up to scrutiny.

Tallahassee was funding its fire services through a special assessment the city collected through utility bills, not a user fee. The problem with billing a special assessment that way was that the people paying the utility bills weren’t the same people responsible for paying special assessments because sometimes they were renters, not property owners. The faulty ordinance was entered in 2009, legally challenged in 2013, and settled – with Tallahassee paying the plaintiffs.

The other community referred to by Gilligan was Fruitland Park. That community started collecting a user fee for police and

fire in 2009 but issued refunds in a court-approved settlement in 2014- the same year the city was challenged.

In January 2021, city attorney Robert Batsel, Jr. told the council that, “Back when we did this … there were different governments around the state doing it.”

When the Gazette asked Batsel to identify other governments that had instituted a fire user fee, he said he wasn’t referring to fire user fees but rather “a proliferation of user fees adopted by local governments throughout the state to fund government functions previously funded by ad valorem taxes.”

On May 21, 2021, another attorney who entered the case, Jason Zimmerman with Gray Robinson, told the council that the 5th District Court of Appeal had decided the city’s user fee was “no longer valid.” The Gazette later asked Zimmerman if he believed the fire user fee had been valid and the DCA had veered from an established legal precedent. He did not answer the question, despite his firm’s indication that he would.

Zimmerman also told city council that “most counties and cities do something similar.” But he would not identify any other county or city in Florida that had enacted a fire service user fee.

Other than Fruitland Park’s attempt, the Gazette has not been able to identify any.

How to get out of it

In 2014, attorney Derek Schroth sued Ocala challenging the basis for the city’s authority to collect the mandatory fire fees and asking for a common fund to be established for paying refunds and attorney’s fees. By the time refunds were ordered by the court, the average residential utility customer was owed approximately $1,600; some businesses were due hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Most of the legal discussion evident in the transcripts was about ways the city could get out of paying the refunds. The city clung to two defenses hoping they would limit damages, statute of limitations and set-off.

On the statute of limitations defense, the appellate court addressed it multiple times. In its third order, the tone of 5th DCA order was such that transcripts reflect council understanding that it was a rebuke for continuing to raise the issue despite the court’s prior ruling.

The city attorneys also told city council that damages would be severely reduced based on an affirmative defense of set-off. The lawyers reasoned that since Ocala hadn’t pocketed the money, the award to the plaintiffs should be offset by the amount the city had spent to provide the fire services.

However, illegal taxation doesn’t have many defenses

applicable to offsetting damageseven though the attorneys continued to assure council otherwise.

Since the city knew there was no prejudgment interest accruing on damages, the consensus was to kick the can down the road as a long as they could. After all, the city’s insurance company was paying the bulk of the city’s attorney’s fees.

Following the third appellate order telling the city to issue refunds, the city’s attorneys spent at least $100,000 unsuccessfully appealing to the Florida Supreme Court to intervene. They then explored another strategy they believed would give the state Supreme Court no choice but to hear their appeal: through a bond validation procedure. Those plans seemed to be abandoned at some point just before the court entered its judgment.

The attorneys also told the council they believed they were entitled to a second trial on damages and spent at least another hundred thousand dollars hiring economists and gearing up for trial. They bragged during the shade meetings they were going to teach Schroth a thing or two about winning the battle but losing the war.

Things didn’t go that way.

Circuit Judge Robert W. Hodges told the city the appellate court was clear and that his role going forward was only to rule on how the refunds would be doled out.

The appellate decision and trial record were clear that the city was not entitled to a second trial. Yet, the transcript shows the attorneys reassured the council otherwise.

The council and attorneys

“We want people to ignore the mailings. We want the mailings to be confusing and, you know, not exactly explain what’s going on.”

Zimmerman to the countil in an Oct. 15, 2021 meeting

explored the option of the city filing bankruptcy as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Schroth. At one point, city staff was directed to contact the governor’s office to see if Gov. Ron DeSantis would approve such a measure. However, the city’s chief financial officer at the time, William Kaufman, told council the city’s finances were solid and it was unlikely the city would qualify for such an extreme debt relief measure.

Unrealistic expectations about the claims process

Over and over, the attorneys assured council that even if they did not prevail, damages would be significantly reduced by the number of claimants who applied for their refunds.

Batsel thought limiting the customers to a 30- to 60-day window to apply would mean fewer people would apply in time. Zimmerman told council the notices to be sent to citizens about their refunds would be confusing. That, combined with a very short claims period, would save the city money.

“We want people to ignore the mailings,” Zimmerman told the council in an Oct. 15, 2021 meeting. “We want the mailings to be confusing and, you know, not exactly explain what’s going on.”

In a meeting transcript dated Dec. 14, 2021, Zimmerman told the council, “If the court decides to say no, just refund the checks, we’re immediately going to appeal that and we’re going to drag this out as long as we can.”

That strategy didn’t work out either.

Hodges ruled that utility customers did not have to apply for refunds and those refunds must be sent out within 60 days. The city did not appeal Hodges’ decision.

Lobbying for relief

The city had erroneously tried to use their “home rule” power to enact a tax renamed a “user fee” without authority to do so, and they hoped legislators would give them a “fix.” In the early years of the litigation, the city attorneys spent money and effort on Tallahassee lobbyists, to no avail.

They then tried a novel approach: Try to convince the public it’s in their, and the city’s, best interest for them not to seek refunds because of the financial harm it would cost Ocala. Utility customers were given the option to opt-out as class action members, and some did, saving the city money.

Throughout the final years of litigation, city council members spoke of getting a message to the community that the lawsuit was bad for the community, but a definitive public relations effort never materialized.

Time and again during the shade meetings, city council members voiced shock that the court wasn’t giving them the ruling they thought was fair. After all, didn’t the courts understand the class action suit was just a money grab based on a

technicality brought by plaintiffs who were often characterized as pitiful, down-and-out citizens represented by a greedy lawyer, Derek Schroth?

The council members repeatedly said they had the best intentions toward their citizens, and the fire user fee was only a way to spread the cost of fire services over a larger group of people. They felt if the courts and the public understood their intentions, justice would prevail.

In reviewing the transcripts, the Gazette could not find one reference made by a council member or lawyer recognizing that the user fee forced utility customers who under state law were not responsible for funding public safety services to pay an illegal tax, and that these customers had little recourse if they decided not to pay it.

Litigation became personal At times, the litigation became personal for the city’s attorneys and some council members. The

and omissions policies by either the attorney groups that gave us the feelgood letter back when we enacted the user fee or — I hate to admit it — on your firm?”

The city attorneys always avoided a direct answer to that question, according to the transcripts.

Gilligan told city council in 2014 that they needed to consider hiring outside counsel to defend the fire fee lawsuit because Gilligan could become a witness in the case. The issue was not addressed again in the shade minutes. The Gazette asked Gilligan how and when city council decided to forgo independent counsel, but Gilligan did not respond to the inquiry.

On the flip side, one council member, Brent Malever, expressed over and over complete confidence in Gilligan and Batsel – even after the third appellate order. When Batsel suggested that the council bring in another firm with more experience defending class action suits for the final leg of the litigation, Malever had to be convinced it was even necessary.

In 2021, seven years into the litigation, the city brought in Jason Zimmerman of Gray & Robinson.

Where things stand

The lawsuit established case law that will likely serve to protect other communities from the pitfall Ocala fell into trying to find creative ways to raise money from a larger group of people than their tax base.

When it comes to the cost of attorney’s fees incurred by the city during this suit, the city has had help offsetting those expenses.

tone of their comments and their refusal to try mediation to resolve the case reflect that. The dialogue instead seemed focused on guessing at Schroth’s motivation for bringing the case since he was working hard for eight years with his legal fees contingent on a successful outcome.

Gilligan acknowledged that Schroth was persistent, but he over and over again expressed the sentiment echoed by council members that Schroth had picked an unwise fight with no winners.

Zimmerman played into some council members’ disdain for Schroth. Many times, he framed his legal strategy with aggressive comments about legal actions the attorneys would take to “kick him in the mouth,” “educate him.” He even bantered with council members Justin Grabelle and Jay Musleh about using a “red hot poker” on Schroth’s genitals.

Some city council cooed with the reassurances that they’d eventually teach Schroth a lesson. Others remained quiet.

Who is to blame?

Multiple times, Musleh asked about whether the city could offset the costs of litigation with a claim against the Gilligan firm and Lewis. On Jan. 8, 2021, he asked Batsel, “Any errors

It was previously reported that the city was self-insured and maintained excess coverage with Chubb North American Financial Lines Claims when an applicable insured event triggered more than $75,000 in attorney’s fees and costs. In 2017, the city surpassed the $75,000 threshold, and the firm started submitting its invoices to Chubb instead of the city for reimbursement.

In April 2021, Batsel, Jr. told the Gazette the city’s attorney’s fees were around $500,000.

The majority of utility customers have received refunds, and it is anticipated that some will not be located and their share will be used to fund a second round of refund checks so that the majority of the utility customers receive 100% of what they paid in the illegal tax.

The city now must pay down a $60 million note.

When the city stopped collecting the fire user fee on utility bills in early 2021, it funded the remainder of the year’s fire services through a special assessment and currently funds its fire services through a non-ad valorem property tax.

The Gilligan firm continues to handle some of the city’s litigation; however, the city has hired a new city attorney, William Sexton, who is in the process of building an in-house legal department to provide oversight of all legal work for the city.

How we did this story:

Shortly after Marion County Circuit Judge Robert Hodges entered a final judgment in 2021 requiring the City of Ocala to refund $80 million to local utility customers who for years had been assessed an illegal fire service user fee, the Gazette began digging for details about how this municipal debacle came about.

The newspaper asked for minutes of the so-called “shade meetings’’ held over the years between the Ocala City Council and its legal team. Shade meetings are exemptions to Florida’s Sunshine Law, under which governments must operate in the public’s view. Shade meetings are publicly noticed, but in Ocala’s case, only the attorneys, council members and the city manager attended to discuss the pending litigation. The mayor did not attend these meetings, but a court reporter did, recording every word spoken.

The transcribed records became available to the public at the conclusion of litigation.

For five months, the city rebuffed the Gazette’s requests for the transcripts, including a demand that the newspaper pay attorney’s fees for reviewing the public records for possible redaction before the city would release them.

The city recently released transcripts from 28 shade meetings, at no cost to the Gazette and without redaction.

The city confirmed that there were no shade meetings held on this case from March 18, 2014 to Sept. 6, 2016 and confirmed that there was only one shade meeting a year on this suit in 2016, 2017, and 2019.

All of the transcripts were maintained by the law firm of Gilligan, Anderson & Phelan, P.A., the city’s legal representatives during the majority of the litigation.

For this report, we sought comment from former council member Charlie Ruse, the only one who expressed concerns the fee was an illegal tax, but he did not return our call. We attempted to speak with current council members Jay Musleh and Ire Bethea to ask what they understood from their attorneys’ advice during the course of the litigation, but they both declined to comment. We reached out to attorneys involved with the litigation–Patrick Gilligan, Robert Batsel, Jr. and Jason Zimmerman for the city—but only Batsel responded. His comments are included in the report.

Derek Schroth, attorney for the class, declined to comment on the transcripts.

“Any errors and omissions policies by either the attorney groups that gave us the feel-good letter back when we enacted the user fee or — I hate to admit it — on your firm?”

Jay Musleh to Batsel

Conservative author runs for District 24 seat

Conservative political activist and author Ryan Chamberlin has announced his second attempt to win elective office, this time a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. He is hoping to win a special election to fill the District 24 seat left vacant by the recent resignation of Rep. Joe Harding. Harding, a 35-year-old Ocala Republican, recently resigned from the position after being indicted by a federal grand jury on six counts in connection with allegations he defrauded a pandemic-related small business loan program.

Chamberlin’s first candidacy ended when he lost the Republican primary for Florida’s 3rd Congressional district in 2020, but he’s hoping his campaign message is better received by Marion County two years later.

Chamberlin is the co-founder and CEO of True Patriot Network, an invitation-only social media platform that prioritizes conservative values. He advertises TPN as a Facebook alternative that is entirely pro-family, pro-faith, pro-free speech and profree enterprise.

Chamberlin could not be reached for comment. According to his campaign literature, his platform for the District 24 seat focuses on a promise to advocate for the protection of the Second Amendment, pro-life legislation, parental rights and freedoms, tax reform and more aggressive U.S. border control.

One of Chamberlin’s video ads from his first run in 2020, ended with him knotting his tie and saying, “And they (liberals) think every one of us is carrying a gun.” Chamberlin’s wife then entered the video, and says, “Here’s you gun, honey,” as she hands him a pistol, to which he adds, “I don’t know why.”

Chamberlin has also authored five books about values-based business practices and how to become a successful business owner. He also hosts a podcast titled “Now You Know” on the same subject, and frequently gives keynote speeches about entrepreneurship and politics, most notably with TEDx.

He is also an active member of his church and the conservative social media scene. Like his opponent in the race, Jose Juarez, Chamberlin holds similar values as Gov. Ron DeSantis, but with much more religious zeal prevalent in his politics.

Ocala business owner runs for state representative

Jose Juarez, known to many Ocala residents as the “Barbacuban” has officially announced his bid for state representative for District 24 following the resignation of Rep. Joe Harding.

Harding, a 35-year-old Ocala Republican, recently resigned from the position after being indicted by a federal grand jury on six counts in connection with allegations he defrauded a pandemic-related small business loan program.

Juarez, a Republican, has decided to enter the local political scene in a special election still yet to be announced that will replace Harding, who was first elected in 2020 and re-elected without opposition in November.

Juarez is an active member of the Marion County community and said he would want his actions as a state representative to reflect that. “I felt the calling to serve, and to give back to the community that I felt like has given me so much,” he said.

Twenty years ago, Juarez started Victory Solutions, a customer service, sales, and marketing company for the motorcycle industry which employs thirteen people.

Juarez is also known as the “Barbacuban” for his homemade grilling sauces, one of which, his signature 455 sauce, helped him win “LIVE’s Search for America’s New Grill Star’’ in 2015 on the “LIVE with Kelly and Michael’’ TV show. Since then, Juarez has created and sold 12 different sauces, ranging from ketchup to truffle sauce.

Juarez was involved in the “Love for Lawson’’ fundraiser last year. The event raised money and garnered support for Lawson Armstrong, Juarez’s granddaughter. Lawson is a toddler afflicted with bone marrow failure, which prevents her immune system from fighting off germs and infections. The organizers of the fundraiser hoped to collect enough money to pay for her treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital. Juarez helped support his family by caring for his older granddaughter while Lawson and her parents spent four months in Boston for her treatment.

Juarez said he draws political inspiration from Gov. Ron DeSantis. He said his businesses suffered during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the governor’s policies helped him keep all his employees and stay afloat.

“I saw the damage that it did, but I feel like the American Dre am is still alive and well,” he said.

Juarez hopes to utilize his experiences as a Cuban immigrant and a business owner to serve his community.

“I’m running to represent the everyday man and woman of Marion County,” he said, “I hope to ensure polices up in Tallahassee are being written with the people in mind- not the special interest groups.”

School impact fees recommended to be suspended for 12th straight year

Marion County school district officials, struggling with overcrowded schools and ways to fund new buildings, on Tuesday declined—for now—to request a renewal of a key funding source that could help ease the crisis.

The Marion County School Board once again recommended that the Marion County Board of County Commissioners continue to suspend impact fees rather than terminating or reinstating them. This long-standing trend could change, however, once the district receives the results of two studies that are expected to provide details about the district’s acute needs.

The school board sent its recommendation letter this week because it is obligated to, explained School Board Vice Chair Nancy Thrower.

“This letter is required, and at this point we have our impact fee study in progress and also our capital funding review in progress,” said Thrower. “Until those are completed, we don’t have the foundation in which to ask for impact fees.”

School impact fees were first suspended in 2011 because the economy and population growth were stagnant and the district did not need help funding the renovation, expansion and building of schools.

As population growth and development have exploded, particularly in the southwest region of the county, schools in those areas have quickly become overcrowded. The return of Educational System Impact Fees, one-time charges that local governments impose on builders and developers to offset the costs of expansions borne by developments to schools, could help ease the financial strain on the district.

The school board’s recommendation was for the commissioners to continue to suspend impact fees rather than terminating or reinstating them. School impact fees were never terminated in the event they could become necessary again. The district collected $800,000 in revenue from impact fees in the last year they were in place, according to the Florida Department of Education.

In August, the Gazette reported the district had contracted a consulting firm to conduct an impact fee study to see whether the district should recommend the county commission bring the fee back and at what amount. The same consulting firm is also conducting a long-range school planning study to assess where development has impacted schools the most and which schools are of the highest priority for improvements and developments.

Depending on the findings, the impact fee study could affect the school board’s next recommendation to the commission, said School Board Chair Allison Campbell.

“At this juncture, we haven‘t had a new impact fee study done in a dozen years or more,’’ she said. “We want to wait and see what the third-party consultant advises us, so that we potentially not only make a recommendation for impact fees, but we actually land on a number that is validated by a third-party consultant.”

The study could keep or change the amount collected for impact fees if it finds that they are a necessary form of revenue for the district to fund capital projects, said Campbell.

“The way the letter was written was to say that we aren‘t necessarily suspending for a full year,” she said. “We also understand that impact fees are just one of a number of funding sources that we might be exploring in the future. But all of that, again, is going to be contingent on what this study tells us.”

‘Hometown Christmas’

The annual Ocala Christmas Parade is a highlight of the season.

The annual Ocala Christmas Parade once again had thousands of participants marching proudly along Silver Springs Boulevard to the delight of even more thousands of on-lookers.

The 66th annual event, which had a theme of “Hometown Christmas,” was a spectacle of marching units, dancers, horses, music makers and brightly decorated floats, including a pirate contingent that fired a canon during transit. Business owner and community advocate George Mathis was the grand marshal.

The event is organized by the Friends of the Christmas Parade. The winners list, as posted by the group on social media, included, in first, second and third place:

* Commercial division: Tillman & Associates, Loco Graphics, Conrad Tree Service

* Nonprofit division: Six Gun Territory, Fernandina Pirates Club, Boy Scouts of America

* Marching Division: Sunrise Snowmen, West Port High School ROTC, Belleview High School ROTC

* Bands: Osceola/Forest combined middle and high school band, Lake Weir High School, Howard Middle School

The parade was broadcast live by Marion County Public Schools on the district YouTube channel and aired live on the Marion Education Channel (MEC), available on local cable systems Comcast (Channel 99) and Cox (Channel 12). The parade replays on the MEC at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through New Year’s Day. It may be seen anytime at https://youtu.be/humKjuUxexU

Schools Revising Student Support Guides

Ten school districts whose LGBTQ support guides and other policies were called into question by the state Board of Education are in various stages of revising the documents, or in some cases have dropped the disputed guides, according to responses the board discussed Wednesday.

State officials are scrutinizing the districts’ guides to ensure that they comply with a 2021 law known as the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” which deals with what families are entitled to know about their children‘s education and health care.

The review of the guides also addresses a state Board of Education rule guiding bathroom and locker-room access as well as a controversial new law formally titled “Parental Rights in Education.”

The law, passed by the Legislature this year, requires that parents be notified of any “change in the student’s services or monitoring related to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being and the school’s ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment” for the student.

Critics of the law have focused on a provision in the law that prohibits classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity for early grades, disparagingly dubbing it the “don’t say gay” measure.

Jacob Oliva, a senior chancellor with the state Department of Education, wrote to the districts in November raising concerns about a range of issues that he said may not comply with the laws and the regulation. Oliva’s action came three months after Education state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz authorized a statewide review of school districts’ guides.

During a conference call held by the Board of Education Wednesday, Oliva gave members an update on changes being made by the districts.

In Brief

“We sent 10 school districts a letter where we identified language from the policies and the documents and procedures that we received, kind of highlighting some of this language saying, ‘you may want to consider reviewing your current district policies … to just make sure that they are up to date and in accordance’” with state law and state board rules, Oliva said.

Leon County school officials, for example, are in the process of revising guidelines called the “Inclusive School Guide for LCS Employees,” and are poised to adopt new procedures related to issues such as transgender students’ participation in sports.

Oliva questioned the Leon County district’s reliance on part of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s bylaws related to “gender identity participation” in sports.

“All eligible students should have the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity and expression, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s birth certificate and/or records,” the FHSAA policy said.

The district now is proposing to drop the FHSAA policy from the guide and adopt language from a state law known as the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” which requires that athletic “teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls may not be open to students of the male sex.”

The Leon County school board will consider the changes on Jan. 24, according to a letter school district attorney William Spillias sent to state education officials in response to questions from Oliva.

Leon County Superintendent of Schools Rocky Hanna briefly addressed the state board during its conference call Wednesday.

“We are trying our best to work with you all to get guidance on how we can ensure that we are abiding by the Parental Bill of Rights while also abiding by student privacy rights,” Hanna said.

Appeal Rejected in Cracker Barrel Murders

More than 27 years after three employees of a Southwest Florida Cracker Barrel restaurant were murdered during a robbery, a federal appeals court has rejected a Death Row inmate’s appeal in the slayings.

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday issued a 38-page decision turning down arguments by Brandy Bain Jennings, who was convicted in the high-profile case. Jennings, a former employee of the Naples restaurant, and another man were accused of killing Dorothy Siddle, Vicki Smith and Jason Wiggins, who were found in a freezer with their throats slashed in November 1995, according to the decision. Jennings, now 53, was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and robbery and sentenced to death.

In the appeal, he contended that he had received ineffective legal representation before being sentenced to death, at least in part because his attorney did not “adequately investigate and present mitigation evidence related to his childhood and background,” Tuesday’s decision said.

But the appeals-court panel rejected the argument and backed rulings by the Florida Supreme Court and a federal district court. “Given the facts of this case, it was not unreasonable for the state court to conclude that Jennings was not prejudiced by counsel’s failure to present the mitigation evidence in question during the penalty phase,” said the decision, written by Judge Elizabeth Branch and joined by Judges Adalberto Jordan and Andrew Brasher.

Property Insurance Changes Head to DeSantis

Wi th property insurance described as a “hidden tax” on homeowners, the Florida House on Wednesday gave final approval to a plan aimed at stabilizing the state’s troubled insurance market.

The Republican-dominated House voted 84-33 along party lines to pass the bill (SB 2-A) on the final day of a special legislative session. The Senate approved the bill Tuesday, meaning it is ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The 105-page bill includes wideranging changes that supporters acknowledge would not immediately lower insurance rates. At least for some homeowners, such as customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the bill could increase costs.

But after two years of private insurers seeking hefty rate increases and dropping hundreds of thousands of customers because of financial losses, Republican lawmakers said the bill is designed to bolster investment in the market, spur competition and, ultimately, bring down costs.

“Florida’s homeowners insurance is extremely expensive, and the market is deteriorating,” Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, said. “It’s literally falling apart. In some places, there’s not even a market.”

Democrats blasted the bill, saying it would help insurers while doing little for residents struggling to pay insurance premiums.

“We are giving a gift to the insurance companies, and we are punishing the homeowners,” Rep. Patricia Williams, D-Pompano Beach, said.

Legislative leaders and the DeSantis

Court Upholds

Verdict Against

Cigarette Maker

A state appeals court Wednesday upheld a $2.5 million verdict against cigarette maker Philip Morris USA in a lawsuit filed by the family of a man who started smoking as a teenager and died of lung cancer at age 57.

A Miami-Dade County jury ruled in favor of the estate of Ulisee Holliman, at least in part based on allegations that Philip Morris and other tobacco companies concealed the health dangers of smoking and that Holliman relied on statements from the industry.

Philip Morris’ “theory of defense was that Holliman smoked because he enjoyed it and it helped him to manage stress, rather than because he was addicted to nicotine or because of anything the industry said about the health risks and addictive nature of cigarettes, and he had the ability to quit in time to avoid his lung cancer,” said Wednesday’s decision by a panel of the 3rd District Court of Appeal.

In upholding the verdict, the appeals court pointed, in part, to testimony from

administration negotiated the bill before the special session started Monday, leaving little question that it would pass. Republicans flatly rejected numerous attempts by Democrats to amend the bill.

The bill seeks to reduce lawsuits that insurers blame for driving up costs and move homeowners from Citizens into the private market. It also would set aside $1 billion in tax dollars to help provide critical reinsurance to insurers.

The insurance system’s problems stem from a combination of issues, but a large part of the debate this week focused on efforts to curb lawsuits against insurers. Rep. Tom Leek, an Ormond Beach Republican who helped sponsor the bill, said Wednesday that litigation costs have led to carriers leaving the state.

But Democrats and other critics said the changes in the bill would effectively make it harder for homeowners to fight insurers over claims, with many saying it would create a “David and Goliath” situation.

The bill, in part, would eliminate what are known as “one-way attorney fees” in property-insurance cases. Under one-way attorney fees, insurers pay the attorney fees of policyholders who successfully file lawsuits. Insurers contend one-way attorney fees create an incentive for litigation.

“Eliminating one-way attorney fees is a benefit to every consumer and every taxpayer,” said Leek, who described property insurance as a “hidden tax” on homeowners.

But Democrats said the elimination of one-way attorney fees and other changes in the bill would hurt homeowners whose claims get denied or delayed by insurers. With the elimination of one-way attorney fees, homeowners likely would have to pay attorney fees out of whatever money they might receive in lawsuits.

Holliman’s daughter. Holliman died in 1993. “Upon our independent review of the record, we find sufficient evidence to establish that Holliman received, believed and acted upon false and misleading statements by the tobacco companies regarding the health risks and addictiveness of cigarette smoking to his detriment,” said the 13-page decision, written by Judge Fleur Lobree and joined by Judges Edwin Scales and Eric Hendon.

“When viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, his daughter’s testimony reflected that Holliman saw a number of false and misleading statements about dangers associated with smoking on various television programs once he became a regular smoker, and that he expressed his belief after watching at least one such program that cigarettes were not bad for you. This evidence allowed for a reasonable conclusion that Holliman continued to smoke because he was misled by the tobacco companies into believing that smoking was not harmful to his health at least until the mid-1980s, when he received the first personal warnings about the risks associated with smoking and made his first attempts to quit.”

Notice is hereby given:

BARTLETT, ELIZABETH C 3240 SW 34TH ST

OCALA, FL 34474

BEASON, TYRONE D 8987 SE 130TH LOOP

SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491

CRUZ, HEATHER R 13655 SE 49TH TER

SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491

CUMMINGS, DAVID S 505 NE SANCHEZ AVE

OCALA, FL 34470

DENYKE, PAUL D 16610 NE 3RD LN

SILVER SPRINGS, FL 34488

ENGLE, MICHELLE L 445 SPRING DR

OCALA, FL 34472

FOULKS, KEVIN PH 4868 SW SOUTH WIND CT

DUNNELLON, FL 34431

GAINES, JACQUEZ S 3454 NW 16TH AVE OCALA, FL 34475

GILBERT, DURAN S 5 PINE TRACE LOOP OCALA, FL 34472

HANSON, ANGEL C 10420 SE 149TH ST

SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491

HARDEE, AUTUMN D 15681 N HWY 301

CITRA, FL 32113

HENRY, ASHER C 85 TEAK RUN

OCALA, FL 34472

KING, JESSIE A 13125 E HWY 25

OCKLAWAHA, FL 32179

KNIGHT, TROY N 8480 SW 65TH AVENUE RD OCALA, FL 34476

KOENIG, ROBERT B 5741 NW 61ST CT OCALA, FL 34482

MACE, KELLY R 9871 SW 189TH CIR

DUNNELLON, FL 34432

MELANSON, DUANE A 162 JUNIPER WAY OCALA, FL 34480

MUDIE, KATIE L 4841 NE 8TH ST

OCALA, FL 34470

NEAS, KEVIN G 1800 NE 177TH PL CITRA, FL 32113

WILLIAMS, DERRICK T 5431 NE 35TH ST SILVER SPRINGS, FL 34488

WINDSOR JR, WILLIAM A 8204 SE 147TH PL SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491 YOUNGS JR, GEORGE H 19065 SE 96TH ST OCKLAWAHA, FL 32179

You are hereby notified that your eligibility to vote is in question. You are required to contact the Supervisor of Elections, in Ocala, Florida, no later than thirty (30) days after the date of this publishing. Failure to respond will result in a determination of ineligibility by the Supervisor and your name will be removed from the statewide voter registration system. Wesley Wilcox Marion County Supervisor of Elections 981 NE 16 th Street Ocala, Florida 34470

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

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF LIONELL MEREDITH LOCKHART, Deceased.

FILE NO.: 2022-CP-002625

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

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

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

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

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

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

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

Attorneys for Personal Representative: R. WILLIAM FUTCH Florida Bar No.: 0319856 DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 R. WILLIAM FUTCH, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF NANCY C. FUTCH, Deceased. CASE NO.: 2022-CP-002780

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration)

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

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

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

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

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

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

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

Attorney for Petitioner: R. WILLIAM FUTCH Florida Bar No.: 0319856 R. WILLIAM FUTCH, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080

Email Address: bill@futchlaw.net

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

IN RE: Estate of DUANE EDGAR BAKER

Deceased. /

File No. 42-2022-CP-2787 AX

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Duane Edgar Baker, deceased, whose date of death was September 9, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, FL, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

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

34432

Owner's name: Richard Beasley, New World Research and Development. In the Circuit Court, In and for Marion County, Florida

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent's estate of whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

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

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is 12/09/2022.

James A. Pickens Florida Bar No. 91591

Kinsey Vincent Pyle PL 150 S Palmetto Avenue, Ste 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Telephone: (386) 252-1561 Facsimile: (386) 254-8157 Attorney for Personal Representative e-filing@kvplaw.com OR Primary E-mail: jp@kvplaw.com Secondary E-mail: anne.dahms@kvplaw.

Email Address: bill@futchlaw.net

Living history lesson

The Great Florida Cattle Drive 2022—Celebrating 500 Years of Cattle in Florida is in the history books. And horsewomen like Ocalans Jennifer Schuck and Wendy Wilson can attest that even with aching muscles, adrenalin-inducing stampedes and no showers for a week, they had an amazing experience and made new lifetime friends.

The drive, which took place from Dec. 4-10, was organized by the Florida Cow Culture Preservation Committee (FCCPC). It featured participants, known as cow hunters, driving more than 1,000 head of Florida Cracker style cattle through Central Florida and ended with a celebration that was open to the public. According to Florida state archives, the term “Florida Cracker” is thought to refer to the cracking sound made by the whips used by early settlers to herd cattle. The Great Florida Cattle Drive is a nonprofit event put on by volunteers and sponsors and is a registered 501(c)(3) entity as part of the Florida Agriculture Museum. This was the fourth drive. The first, in 1995, was conceived as a reenactment to celebrate Florida’s 150th birthday. The second drive took place in 2006 and the third was held in 2016.

Drive chairman Doyle Conner Jr. was the “Trail Boss.” He learned wrangling skills from his father, Doyle Conner, a fifth generation Floridian and former state representative and Commissioner of Agriculture. Drive participants were divided into five “circles” and one of the circle bosses was Jack Gillen, of Shiloh in northwest Marion County, who was joined by his wife Carol.

During the drive, Schuck and Wilson provided daily updates and photos to the “Gazette.” We are running them here as they were received each day. After the drive was over, we caught up with Conner and Carol Gillen.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Schuck – The best part of day one was—all of it! Getting to meet people and the final organization of my gear. The hardest part was shuttling the trucks and trailers to the end of the drive location, as I just wanted to stay with my horse Rickie and just take it all in. I was laughing a lot and smiling so much my cheeks hurt.”

Wilson - Made it to the Deseret Ranch for registration. Set up electric fence and find out I have a defective charger. To the rescue is a friend who had an extra one. The boys are all settled in and my riding companion from the Islamorada arrived and rode her borrowed horse from my friend. She loves him. We’re so excited

to be partaking in this amazing and historic event. Tonight, we get assigned to our circle bosses and Monday morning we head out with the cows.

Monday, Dec. 5

Schuck - The first day on the trail was a blast. I was up at 5 a.m. Packed up my stuff, saddled my wonderful horse Rickie, and, wow, he was fresh. Ran to breakfast then was on my horse by 7:30 as our circle got to be with the cows. The morning started out with quite a commotion and a few riders were departed from their own fresh horses. Our circle boss is Jack Gillen, a fifth generation Floridian. He and his wife Carol have been very gracious and helpful and have made this whole thing enjoyable. After we mounted up, we rode six miles to where the cattle were pastured at the Deseret Ranch, the largest cow/calf operation east of the Mississippi. By the time we arrived at camp at about 4 p.m., we had ridden eight hours and I loved every minute of it.

Wilson - Funniest part of the day was when the cows went into a small pond and there was an alligator in there. Horses all went into drink water and he just stayed in the middle not knowing what to think.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 Schuck - What another amazing day. My horse Rickie woke up quite fresh after such a long day before. Rickie felt he should have been up with the cows again. I love being able to see and learn about these amazing ranches. Today we rode from the Deseret Ranch on to the Kempher. One of the differences between these two ranches is the Deseret is owned by the Church of the Latterday Saints and the Kempher is family owned. The Kempher ranch is 25,000 acres and in their beginning the focus was timber then cattle. What is startling is both ranches are being affected by urban sprawl and could be potentially developed. It stresses me to think these ranches could disappear. The passion of the people in this industry and the organizers to recreate what the early settlers experienced is really special. I really love the fact the organizers are encouraging our military veterans and the Sheriff’s Boys’ Ranch to participate. To keep people educated and aware of the importance of history and passing on the knowledge of the working cowboy and ranching is crucial to its survival. Time spent on the back of a good horse, following a nice herd of cows, with like-minded individuals is time well spent.

Wilson - Day two was amazing and there is never a dull moment. Last night two horses got loose and went thundering through

camp, jumped up and peeked out of my tent to make sure the boys (our horses) were okay and a gentleman said your ponies are fine, we got the escapees. This morning a horse took off with a rider at a dead run and ran right in front of my friend Sarah and I while we were saddling up. There was a large mound of sand right in front of us and he bailed right onto it. Great landing! A horse and cowboy went into a pond to get a drink of water. Some horses when they go into the water like to go down in the water to cool off. Well, his horse did just that and cowboy and all his gear were soaked. Of course, we all laughed and applauded.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 Schuck - Honestly, I would never trade this experience for an all-inclusive resort ever. I am not that type of girl. I like a challenge and hard work. I will admit that today I was tired, and I was looking forward to the end of the day. There was some miscommunication and our circle missed the trail ride and we rode with the wagon train. I am an easy-going person and roll well with whatever happens. The circle I am with is delightful with many interesting people. I mentioned our circle boss Jack Gillen but what else is cool is his other family members who are here with him. They are truly Florida Crackers with a deep proud history. They are about their life here in Florida with these horses and cattle. So, the plan was a trail ride off the Kempher Ranch to the Deseret ranch, pick up 500 head of Deseret cattle and drive them to the next camp. Best laid plans. Like I mentioned we missed the trail ride and got an extra-long lunch break. After the break we mounted up and followed behind the two circles that are to move the cattle. We waited in a field while they were getting organized then, all of a sudden... bam a stampede! The herd of cows were young and not exposed to the number of horse and riders. As with any work handling animals, it takes patience and there are no guarantees things will go smoothly. The cow boss had to regroup and bring in the experienced drivers, get the cattle settled and move on. The good news, no one got hurt. The day just took a bit longer... it was all good.

Wilson - I was totally exhausted. I’ve done endurance doing 50 miles and this was so much more grueling as it was all open pasture and warm. Some of the horses were very excited and on the muscle a lot, which made for them jigging and trotting. Not the most comfortable for the rider. On day two, we thought they would be tired and calmed down, but that didn’t happen; they were still excited. It was not as tiring

or as hot because we had some shade and we were so grateful. We were all very hungry and thirsty as many of us ran out of water. We rode the largest ranch east of the Mississippi—300,000 acres! We all felt honored we were able to ride at the Deseret Ranch.

Thursday, Dec. 8 Schuck - Yay cows! It was our day again with the cows. Yes, that touchy bunch that stampeded yesterday. It was a great morning that started out with a conversation with Billy Davis, the famous Cracker horseman and cow hunter. I wish I knew a fraction of what he‘s forgotten. I really admire Billy‘s horse, with his classic Iberian profile, which is the heritage of the Cracker horse. A swift agile horse, small in stature best suited to the various Florida eco systems. Prairies, cypress swamps, shrub lands, palmetto patches and canals. I then was able to take my horse Rickie up towards the front of the herd today and watch carefully

you will never forget. You find you can push yourself beyond what you thought you ever could, and the amazing part is the horses can do what they do. You figure they’re carrying close to 40 pounds-plus of gear with your saddle. The energy of having over 300 horses around you all excited about riding out in this beautiful land and watching cattle being moved along, hopefully without incident, is intense. We did have a stampede yesterday and today. They can be terrifying, and you depend on your instincts and for your horse to take care of you. We found out one of the cowboy’s favorite dogs was killed in it yesterday. What goes into putting dinner on your table is something that many don’t understand and doing this you have a deeper appreciation for what these ranchers do for us. We were amazed when we got to see a satellite go off over this beautiful land and I felt so blessed to have experienced this day. I met amazing people and heard story

and listen for direction from the cow hunters and cow boss Mike Wilder. We did have another stampede, but they didn‘t get very far with the quick actions of the cow hunters and cur dogs. After the they were settled, they sent us ahead through a gate and they counted the herd as they moved into a large field of broom sage. The broom sage was high and made a lot on thrashing noise as the cattle were gathered. The cattle started to swirl; it was like a tornado. The energy and the sounds became increasingly intense. The heifers were looking to break again. The calmness of the cow hunters and directions from the cow boss easily settled the situation and the cattle were quietly and slowly moved on through a cypress swamp to another broom sage field. The cattle progressively became more confident due to the cow crew. It was seriously really cool to watch and help.

Wilson - There are certain things you experience in life that

after story of their lives and their adventuress with their horses. Life is good today…

Friday, Dec. 9

Schuck - It‘s hard to believe how fast this week went by. The good news is, I am no sissy. If someone told me, guess what? You get to do this for another week or longer, I‘m in. Shower or no shower. I think my horse Rickie would be game too. What an incredible experience we all have had. It takes an army of people to put this together and I am so grateful to you all that made this happen. I am grateful for my family and support crew at home that made it possible for me to be here. This week I have met the most amazing and fun people that share the same passion. We are living out history and seeing this beautiful state of Florida from the backs of our horses, trailing cattle. Tonight, at dinner, the most interesting thing came up. The biggest supporters of this drive are the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Participants in the Great Florida Cattle Drive rode their horses into the past as they re-enacted how Cracker pioneers survived—and thrived—in early Florida.

with so much opportunity. The only thing that limits us is our mind. We all have struggles, expectations, limiting beliefs, why we can‘t do something. Of course, we need to be reasonable and responsible with our choices. To reach our goals it could take some time. It took five plus one years to plan the 2022 Great Florida Cattle Drive. COVID put it off for a year. There is always a way to get things done. This Great Florida Cattle Drive isn‘t

history my friends. What an amazing week. I am blessed.

Wilson - Jennifer put it all so perfectly…

Carol Gillen said by phone on Tuesday that the experience was “magnificent” and “very humbling.”

“It was way more than I expected in terms of the reasons people went,” she said. “Some people go on things like this as a pilgrimage, a time to heal, or to come terms with something, or a spiritual journey, perhaps.”

She said she witnessed strangers becoming friends and helping each other.

“I have a great deal of respect for all those who finished this adventure and even those who gave it their best shot. The trail was many things, but it was not easy. I truly believe that if I told them we were gonna turn around and drive ‘em back, most would have saddled up.

“There aren’t any words powerful enough to thank the members of the Drive Committee who planned, promoted and produced this enormous undertaking over the last 4 years. The logistics of moving a large group through the wilds of our state can only be compared to a military operation.

Continued from page A10

The very people the settlers took the land and cattle away from. The Seminoles are cattle people and participated in organized cattle ranching since the 1740s. I enjoyed the program tonight recognizing these proud people and hearing their music and stories. Wow I am tired and need rest for our final journey to the Trails End Frolic.

Wilson - What an amazing adventure of finding out about the history of the cattle that started here in Florida and the ranchers who keep these beautiful pieces of land going. This ride has been a testament of people who wanted to experience one and showed how tough they and their horses are. Are we sore? Absolutely. Do our horses have some boo boos? Yup. But by the end of the day, it was all worth it for this incredible and historical ride. We witnessed the satellite go off as everyone in camp hooped and

hollered. The moon lit our campsites at night so we could find our way around. We met some wonderful people who we now call friends. So many words to describe this adventure so many of us took on— Grueling, breathtaking, physically challenging, educational, inspiring, scary at times and the friendships and memories to last a lifetime are priceless. It is the adventure of a lifetime—and it “Ain’t for sissies!”

Saturday, Dec. 10 Schuck - Well... I‘m home now with a flood of feelings and memories. We live in a world where things come to us so simply. Things, meaning life sustaining goods. Things that help our quality of living. Of course, it comes with a price. We have choices how we want to live our life in a country

for everyone, but for everyone who was there you could see the joy in their faces. What an accomplishment riding to our final destination and seeing the crowd welcoming us. Riding in with our new friendships that could last a lifetime. Riding in on these amazing creatures that helped build a nation. Trailing the original cattle that fed the people through the struggles and creation of this country. Being grateful and giving the land and its owners the respect it deserves. Do not forget the

“I learned a lot about myself, and about other people,” she said. “And the Seminole Tribe, they sponsored the Sheriff’s Boys’ Ranch kids and the wounded veterans, who partnered together. This event got to me... Studies show nature heals and that there is such a thing as horse therapy. I know it’s a thing.”

Would she do it again?

“Yes, I would!”

With his permission, here are the words Conner posted on his Facebook page on Sunday:

“Last week, to celebrate 500 years of cattle and horse production in Florida, 350 riders and horses and about 14 wagons pushed 1,500 head of cattle through 80 miles of the most historic and pristine ranches on this planet. They slept on the ground, they slogged through the wet, they choked down the dust and cussed the fire weed. Crackers, Yankees, city folks, country folks from New York to Brazil wanted to taste the life of our cow hunting ancestors. For 6 days and nights People of every color and creed learned to respect the difficulties that the old timers faced every day of their lives.

“The Kirchman Foundation Lake X Ranch, Deseret Ranch, the Kempfer Ranch, Escape Ranch, the Diego Medina Ranch and the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area shared with us the beauty of their holdings and we are forever grateful for their hospitality.

“The Florida Division of Forestry, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Seminole Feeds of Ocala, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Osceola County Fire and Rescue, Osceola County Waste Management, Experience Kissimmee, Florida Agricultural Museum and Florida Cattlemen’s Association made this possible and kept us safe and on track.

“I thank all our participants for keeping the land clean and sharing my desire to preserve the traditions and lifestyle of Florida’s cow culture even as 1,000 people a day move into our state. I pray everyone returned home safe with a saddle bag of memories and a heart full of new friendships.”

To learn more, go to greatfloridacattledrive.com

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People, Places & Things

Moment A

Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World for good reason—which was even more evident when a tiny therapy horse named Magic arrived at the Marion Theatre on the evening of Dec. 7 in a limousine and then walked the red carpet in a tuxedo in front of a throng of people.

The documentary film premiere of “Hero Horse: A Magical True Story” at the historic theater in downtown Ocala was a fundraiser to help support the Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses elementary school reading programs, which are organized in partnership with the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) and Marion County Public Schools.

The film made its premiere in Ocala before it heads out to film festivals in the coming year. The event, which drew hundreds of people, included a pre-show party and VIP options, including a meet and greet with the film star and a swag bag.

Magic was a little hesitant to take her

star turn at first, but once she came out of the limo on a tiny ramp, she never missed a beat as she strutted through people crowding in for photos.

According to Debbie GarciaBengochea, the education director for Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, “Magic‘s friend Don, a 99-yearold World War II veteran who appears in the film, also had his turn on the red carpet. Don had ‘his posse’ with him, family members and friends from Trinity Springs senior living community. Don said he always wanted to be a star.”

Garcia-Bengochea said the film premiere could not have gone better.

“The response to the film was wonderful. There were lots of feel-good tears and everyone clapped along to the original song “Hero Horse” at the end of the movie as Magic entered the theater.”

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses is an award-winning nonprofit that this year is celebrating 25 years of service.

“Our teams of tiny horses bring love to thousands of adults and children each year inside hospitals, hospice programs, assisted living programs, and with

families, veterans and first responders who have experienced traumatic events,” Garcia-Bengochea said.

Magic was on the team called in to comfort survivors and first responders of the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC and the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Garcia-Bengochea said.

“She helped the tornado survivors of Moore, OK, victims of the fires in Gatlinburg, TN, families in the aftermath of hurricanes, families and first responders after the condo collapse in Surfside and has visited thousands of patients in children‘s and veterans’ hospitals across the country,” she added.

Magic has visited Congress in Washington, D.C., the Arlington National Cemetery and the 911 Memorial in NYC.

“She helped teach a class at Columbia Medical School, was

invited to meet the twin baby pandas at Zoo Atlanta and has been on the concert stage in Nashville, Tennessee,” GarciaBengochea said.

On Wednesday in Ocala, Magic was most certainly the star of the show.

To learn more about Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, visit gentlecarouseltherapyhorses.com and find them on Facebook and Instagram.

for the Holidays

GENUS/SPECIES: Euphoria pulcherrima

USES: Outside can be used as small trees or shrubs, floral displays in homes, businesses and churches.

TOXICITY: Very low level of toxicity for both animals and humans.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Yes, but susceptible to frost. Best if kept at greater than 50 degrees F and avoid drafts.

USDA ZONES: Zones 9 to 11

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Came from Mexico in 1820. 70 million poinsettias are sold in the U.S. in 6 weeks.

During the holidays, it is time to think about “decking (decorating) the halls” but don’t forget to think about decorating the mantles, doors, outside walkways and ground covers, porches, tables and other areas. There are many traditional plants we commonly associate with the holidays and Christmas but there also are less well-known plants you may want to consider this year.

This chart looks at some characteristics of plants that may be important for your decision making. For instance, can the plant be grown inside or outside or both? Is the plant toxic? In what USDA growing zone will the plant grow? (Marion County Florida has been identified as being in the USDA zone 9.)

GENUS/SPECIES: Ilex x attenuata

USES: Cuttings from the trees are used for decorations, table centerpieces, door wreaths, table greenery and mantle décor. Food for 18 species of birds, squirrels, deer and other wildlife.

TOXICITY: Yes, both to humans and pets.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Outside: 30 to 40 feet tall; need female and male plants.

USDA ZONES: Zones 9 to 10

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Drought resistant. Female trees have the berries.

Poinsettia

East Palatka Holly

GENUS/SPECIES: Hippeastrum

USES: Container houseplants as well as walkways and garden beds.

VARIETY OF COLORS: White and red are the most traditional at Christmas.

TOXICITY: Yes, to both humans and animals. Bulbs are the most toxic part to humans and all parts to animals.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Yes, inside and outside.

USDA ZONES: Zones 7b to 10

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Perennial; originated in South America.

Amaryllis Christmas

GENUS/SPECIES: Rhododendron x “Fashion”. A cultivar.

USES: Garden bed shrub; container house plant. Can bloom in December. Adds beautiful red colors to the outside shrubs and inside container plants.

TOXICITY: Yes, to human and pets as well as livestock. Level of toxicity varies.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Yes; inside and out. Can grow up to 5 feet high and 5 feet wide.

USDA ZONES: Zones 7 to 10

Cactus

GENUS/SPECIES: Schlumbergera bridgesii USES: Container.

TOXICITY: Low toxicity for humans and pets, but still wise to not let them eat or chew on it.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Yes, usually in containers. Can grow on rocks also.

USDA ZONES: Zones 9 to 11

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Perennial: Can live up to 100 years (most from 20 to 30 years). Easily propagated. Prefers partial shade. Originated in Brazil. A succulent plant.

GENUS/SPECIES: Helleborus niger

USES: Garden borders, walkways, containers in the house or porch. Height: 8 inches to 1 foot. Perennial

TOXICITY: Yes, to animal and humans. Best for humans to wear gloves when handling.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Inside and outside. Prefers partial to full shade.

USDA ZONES: Zones 3 to 8

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Rich red- and salmon-colored varieties. A cultivar, a cultivated variety, is typically a man-made variety of plant (often made by grafting, tissue culture or controlled seed production).

Fashion Azalea Christmas Rose

GENUS/SPECIES: Primulaceae persicum

USES: Potted plants, ground cover, large showy winter flowers.

TOXICITY: Tubers are toxic to animals. Humans shouldn’t chew on the tubers either.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Yes, inside and outside. Prefers temperatures from 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Dormant September to early December. Needs well drained soil and indirect light. In Florida mostly inside.

USDA ZONES: Zone 9A

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Origin: mid-East/Mediterranean. Called the incense of the Virgin Mary. Muslim and Christian lore associate the plant with the Virgin Mary; shepherds used the tuber as a type of soap; in plant language it means sincerity and affection.

Rosemary

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Search on the internet for the “Legend of the Christmas Rose” and learn of the shepherdess, Madelon and how her gift of the Christmas Rose came to be. Blooms open in winter in warmer climates.

GENUS/SPECIES: Rosmarinus officinalis USES: Beautiful aromas for wreaths, mantle trimmings, table trimmings; seasoning for turkey or gravies and inside or outside topiaries.

TOXICITY: Excessive amounts of rosemary can affect some people. When used as wreaths and mantel trimmings low to no toxicity. Not toxic to cats and dogs.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE: Yes, inside, and outside. If planted outside, it can be a shrub that reaches 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

USDA ZONES: Zone 8 and further south

INTERESTING INFORMATION: Origins in the Mediterranean; it has many cultivars. The plant was popular in the 19th century and is now making a come-back. In plant language it means love and remembrance.

Choose traditional plants and create wonderful table, mantle, door decorations or plant beds of holiday colors for your yard. Or choose less traditional ones and spruce up your porches, yards, or indoor decorations. Enjoy our beautiful Florida weather and the many opportunities we have for plants, whether in garden beds or containers, or parts and pieces used for decorating.

May your holidays be merry and bright. May they be full of plants, flowers, aromas, friends and family. And may peace and joy be with you.

A College for Everyone

Next semester starts Jan. 9.

or Equity@cf.edu.

Información Importante para Estudiantes, Empleados y Visitantes

El College of Central Florida ofrece acceso por igual a oportunidades de empleo, inscripciones y actividades educacionales. El colegio no discriminará en base a raza, color, etnicidad, religión, género, embarazo, edad, estado civil, nacionalidad de origen, información genética o discapacidades, orientación sexual, identidad de género, condición de veterano en sus prácticas laborales o en la inscripción y trato de sus alumnos. Reconociendo que el acoso sexual constituye una discriminación en base a género que viola lo establecido por esta política, el colegio no tolerará dicha conducta. El College of Central Florida es un colegio de igualdad de oportunidades y manifiesta su creencia en la igualdad de acceso y oportunidad para todos los estudiantes, empleados y visitantes de la institución. Si usted tiene alguna preocupación sobre discriminación o acoso, por favor contacte a: Dr. Mary Ann Begley, Directora de Diversidad e Inclusión – Coordinadora del Título IX, Ocala Campus, Edificio 3, Salón 117H, 3001 S.W. College Road, 352-291-4410, o Equity@cf.edu.

Printmaker’s work takes flight

Artist Courtney Kravig-McGuire took an “Intro to Printmaking” class during her last semester of community college but had no idea that it would forever alter the course of her artistic career.

“It was more of a fluke than anything,” the Ocala-based illustrator admitted, but she fell in love with printmaking and decided to major in it when she transferred to the Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis.

“While I was still in school, lithography was my favorite print medium, which involves drawing on stone and printing the image from that stone,” she explained. “Since graduating, I have been more focused on relief printing with linoleum because I can do that from home. I do plan to eventually buy a press and have my own lithography setup at home or in a studio of some sort.”

In her current exhibition, “Blessed Be the Birds,” Kravig-McGuire uses printmaking techniques to explore connections between nature and spirituality in her work.

The free exhibition will be on display through June 9 at the Clerk’s Office at Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. Visitors to the city government office will be able to browse the intricate prints from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Kravig-McGuire also participates in Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk events.

She said her interest in drawing animals started in art school.

“I love to watch the white ibis in my neighborhood where they like to gather,” she said. “The hawks like to hunt around the football field at the park down the road. I love watching the cormorants and anhingas and sandhill cranes in my

grandpa‘s backyard; and I often see the vultures flying overhead from pretty much everywhere in town.”

Born in Washington state, she spent ages 3-11 in Minnesota, and ages 11-26 in greater Indianapolis. An aging family member brought Kravig-McGuire’s parents to Ocala, and she followed suit.

The budding printmaker admits that she’s not the most “outdoorsy” person and struggles with various neuroses about it.

“I hate bugs, have a phobia of bees and wasps, and the heat gives me migraines,” she said, adding that, even so, she plans to explore more local wildlife and forests.

Kravig-McGuire’s Etsy shop, the Inky Ibis, pays tribute to one of Florida’s most elegant, ever-present and iconic birds.

She has an exquisite tattoo of a sandhill crane, which she initially sketched. Her crested caracara tattoo is an original by Naomi Shanti at Alchemy Tattoo, who no doubt has been an influence as tattoo art is her next frontier.

For now, though, her printmaking work is taking flight.

“Birds are just magical to me,” the artist effused. “They mean so many different things to different people. They occupy the sky; they watch over us. They have been on earth longer than most other species. … I think that I‘m enamored with them for the same reason so many other people are, and it‘s just a feeling of awe that is hard to put your finger on.”

To

Molasses comes from the same place most regular white granulated sugar does: the tall, thick grass called sugarcane. Molasses is made by boiling sugarcane juice into a sweet, sticky syrup. It can be boiled just once to make “mild” or “light” molasses, twice to make “full” or “dark” molasses, or three times to make “blackstrap” molasses. You can use light or dark molasses in this recipe, but don‘t use blackstrap molasses here -- its flavor is too bitter and intense.

Molasses Cookies

Makes 12 Cookies

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (5 2/3 ounces) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/3 cup packed (2 1/3 ounces) dark brown sugar

1/4 cup (3 ounces) molasses

1 large egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) sugar

1. HEAT AND LINE: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. WHISK DRY: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt.

3. WHISK WET: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add molasses, egg yolk, and vanilla and whisk until well combined.

4. MIX: Add flour mixture and use rubber spatula to stir until no dr y flour is visible and soft dough forms.

5. ROLL AND COAT: Place sugar in a shallow dish. Use your hands to roll dough into 12 balls (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Place dough balls in dish and roll to coat with sugar.

6. PRESS: Place sugar-coated dough balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them. Gently flatten each ball.

7. BAKE: Bake until edges of cookies are just set and centers are still soft and puffy, 7 to 9 minutes. Let cookies cool completely on baking sheet, about 30 minutes.

DEC. 16

After Dark in the Park Movie

Series: “The Santa Clause”

Tuscawilla Park, 800 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 7pm The city of Ocala sponsors movies in the park and this week “The Santa Clause” is offered. Free to attend. Concessions will be available for purchase. Bring chairs or blankets. No registration required. More info from (352) 3685517.

DEC. 16, 17 & 18

Holiday Happenings on the Square

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

The city of Ocala hosts several entertainment groups for evening fun around the square, in addition to the spectacular lights. See the Dave Shirvis Caroling group on Dec. 16, the Kingdom of the Sun Brass Quintet on Dec. 17 and the Earthwings on Dec. 19. Parking meters downtown are off for the holidays and parking is free in the municipal garage. For more info, see ocalafl.org/holidays

DEC. 18

Chanukah Menorah Lighting

Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala 5:30pm

Chabad of Ocala and The Villages will celebrate the first night of Chanukah with an event that incudes a menorah lighting, music, food and more. To learn more, visit ourchabad.org

community

DEC. 16-18

Ocala Holiday Classic Horse Show

HITS Post-Time Farm, 13710 US Highway 27, Ocala 8am-6pm

The hunter-jumper show series culminates in the Grand Prix on Sunday with a $25,000 grand prize. Classes for youth riders, re-trained thoroughbreds, adult amateur riders and more. See hitsshows.com/ ocala for more info.

DEC. 16-18

The Spirit of the Horse

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arena 5, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 7pm-9pm

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

DEC. 16 & 23

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2pm

Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.

DEC. 17

War Cry 4 Peace Youth Fun Day

Lamb Park, 1200 NW 9th Ave., Ocala 1-4pm

This day for children who have suffered from gun violence is to celebrate the strength and courage of the kids and their families. Offering fellowship, support, games, bounce house, food and resource information. Free to attend. Donations are welcome.

DEC. 17

Yoga at the Fort Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., Ocala 9am

Bring mat, props and water and meet inside the fort grounds. $5 per person, recurs every Saturday morning, weather permitting. See ftking.org for more details.

arts

DEC. 17

“Assisted Living The Musical: The Home for The Holidays”

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

7pm The holiday version of “Assisted Living: The Musical” revisits the Pelican Roost Assisted Living Home in a vaudeville type show. Tickets are $15-$35. See reillyartscenter.com for more info.

DEC. 18

Central Florida Master Choir

Winter Concert

Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St., Dunnellon 3pm

DEC. 17

Yoga in the Park

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

DEC. 21

Holiday Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 10am-2pm

This special market for the holidays will have a bounce house, photo booth, food trucks and a variety of vendors to help you shop for the season. Entertainment; kid and pet-friendly. For more info, ocalacep.com

THROUGH DEC. 24

Winter Wonderland

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

An outdoor winter holiday celebration takes place Thursday through Sunday nights at the Grand

Plaza. Holiday décor, carolers, balloon artists, face painting live entertainment, and chance to meet Santa. This is a paid parking event ($30) and some experiences require purchase. See wecwinterwonderland.com for more info.

THROUGH DEC. 30

holidays government

Christmas Light Spectacular

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

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

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

DEC. 17

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

This annual gala will raise money for the Landon Yerk Memorial Scholarship. Yerk’s talents focused on hands-on and outdoors activities and this funding is for a trade scholarship. Raffle, live auction, tapas, drinks and more. RSVPs encouraged. For more info, call Madison Licciardello at (352) 653-7397.

DEC. 17

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

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

DEC. 17 & 24

Ocala Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm

A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

DEC. 17 & 24

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

A true farmers swap meet where chickens, ducks, quail, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, homegrown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

DEC. 19 & 26

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

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

DEC. 20

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm-8pm Meets the first and third Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

DEC. 20

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

DEC. 20

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

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

DEC. 20

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Planning & Zoning Meeting

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

DEC. 20

City of Dunnellon Planning Commission Meeting

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

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

DEC. 28

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee

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

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

The holiday performance will include classic seasonal songs, Vivaldi’s “Gloria in D Major” and the chorus from “Messiah.” Free; goodwill donations gladly accepted. For more info, cfmasterchoir.com

DEC. 19-30

“Trains at the Holidays”

College of Central Florida, Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Daily 10am-4pm

This tradition of displaying model trains built and maintained by the local Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society is in its 26th year. Many of the model layouts are based on real-life Marion County landmarks, like Six Gun Territory. Free to attend. For more info, CF.edu/Webber

THROUGH JAN. 8

A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition

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

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

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

THROUGH JAN. 9

Looking on the Brighter Side by Jennifer Weigel

Recreation and Parks Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Weigel’s multi-media artwork includes drawings, fibers, installation, paint, video and more to explores themes of beauty, identity and memory. For more info, ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JAN. 31

Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier

Ocala International Airport, 5770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala Hours vary per airport operations

Ocala resident Dozier exhibits a variety of work including landscapes, abstracts, still life and animal portraits. This is part of the City of Ocala Art in City Spaces program. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

DEC. 16 & 23

Chess Club at Freedom Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala 10am-12pm

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

DEC. 16 & 23

Kiwanis Club of Ocala Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed Trinity

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala 12pm Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org

DEC. 21

VFW Wednesday Dinners Angela S. Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala 4:30pm-6:30pm The post offers weekly dinners for about $5-$7

&nightlifemusic

DEC. 16 & 23

Courtyard Jams

MCA Courtyard 23 W Broadway St., Ocala

6-9pm Music, dancing, drumming, poetry and limbo. Free to all, Friday nights weekly.

DEC. 16

Ecliff Farrar

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

DEC. 16

Peaches

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

DEC. 17

Retro Express

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

DEC. 17

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

with a variable menu. The dining room is open to the public, meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers and proceeds benefit veterans in Marion County. For the menu, call (352) 873-4781.

DEC. 21

General Francis Marion Stamp Club meeting Public Library Headquarters, Room B, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1pm

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

DEC.

22

Ocala Lions Club

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

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

DEC. 19

Stephen Lopez Roma’s Italian Restaurant 2775 NW 49th Ave., Ocala 6pm - 8:30pm Live acoustic music on Monday nights; door prizes, food and drink.

DEC. 22

Big Bad Duo

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

DEC. 23

Shelby Lauren

Crazy Cucumber Market Street at Heath Brook, 4414 SW College Road, Ocala 6:30pm - 9:30pm Live acoustic music, food and drink.

DEC. 23

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

DEC. 23

Dan Flok

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

It Was All A Dream

Trinity Catholic’s dream season ends with disappointing 21-3 loss in State Championship Game

The Trinity Catholic Celtics football team earned the opportunity to play for their third state championship on Saturday against the First Baptist Academy Lions from Naples.

A chance at glory and a ring were on the line as the weather was warmer than usual for a mid-December day in Tallahassee. The action on the field was on fire from the opening snap as Trinity Catholic gained two first downs on the legs of running back Beau Beard.

Now in First Baptist territory, the Trinity Catholic ran into their first issues of the day as quarterback Preston Wright threw an incomplete pass on first and third down to force a 42-yard field attempt for Justin Arroyo.

Arroyo’s attempt was down the middle and had plenty of strength to give Trinity Catholic a 3-0 lead with 10 minutes left to go in the first quarter.

First Baptist moved the ball with ease on their opening drive as wide receiver Olsen PattHenry caught two passes that led to first-down conversions.

Running back Jaden Booker continued the success with a 10yard run to the Trinity Catholic 41-yard line.

After Booker’s run, First Baptist’s offense ran out of steam with an incomplete pass and a false start flag that led to them attempting to convert a fourth-and-6. First Baptist quarterback Ethan Crossan’s pass was well out-of-bounds and gave the ball back to the Trinity Catholic offense.

The ensuing drive for Trinity Catholic ended in a blur as two carries by Beard and an incomplete pass forced a punt. First Baptist put together another lengthy drive but a holding penalty put them into a situation of going for it on fourth-and-10. Similar to the previous drive, Crossan’s pass was incomplete and Trinity Catholic would have the ball at their own 26-yard line.

An eight-yard run by Beard and a facemask penalty by First Baptist put Trinity Catholic near midfield. The First Baptist defense would step up and stuff Beard for a loss and outside linebacker Dominic Martucci sacked Wright on third down to force another punt.

Arroyo came up with a big 45-yard punt that was downed

at the 1-yard line and Trinity Catholic would force a punt when cornerback Jeremiah Rhem sacked Crossan on third down.

The First Baptist defense forced a third consecutive punt and would take their first lead of the game on the ensuing drive when Crossan hit PattHenry for a 70-yard touchdown pass. The senior wide receiver was running wide open down the middle of the field in what appeared to be a breakdown in coverage for the Trinity Catholic defense.

Things only got worse for Trinity Catholic as a fourth consecutive drive went nowhere and led to a punt. On the punt attempt, the snap was low, and Arroyo could not handle it. The senior kicker had to fall on the ball at his own 14-yard line.

On the very next play, freshman wide receiver Jayden Petit was by himself near the left sideline and Crossan connected with him for the touchdown to give First Baptist a 14-3 lead with three minutes left before halftime.

Trinity Catholic started the next drive at their own 25-yard line and Wright was stopped on Fourth-and-1 after trying to run the through the middle of the line. First Baptist could not take advantage of great field position and settled for a 25-yard field goal attempt, which was missed.

Trinity Catholic ran a couple of plays before halftime but could not do much and First Baptist maintained their 14-3 lead.

The third quarter opened with First Baptist getting the

ball and starting at their own 8-yard line. After a short run by Booker and a false start flag, First Baptist faced a secondand-13 from their own 5-yard line.

Despite being deep in their own territory, First Baptist head coach Billy Sparacio took the risk of trying to pass and it almost turned the momentum of the game back to Trinity Catholic. As Crossan stood in the pocket, Trinity Catholic defensive lineman Jacob Arnold made a monster hit for the sack and forced a fumble, a melee ensued for the ball as multiple players on each team nearly recovered before Crossan came up with it and gained eight yards. At the end of the run, middle linebacker Omaryon Leslie was called for a 15-yard penalty for hitting Crossan after he was already out of bounds.

The chaotic play that almost gave Trinity Catholic all of the momentum seemed to be a sign that luck was not on their side on Saturday afternoon. The near disaster must have scared them straight as the offense drove 81 yards over the next six plays and scored on a 20yard touchdown pass to Sam Sparacio.

Now down 21-3, Trinity Catholic knew they had to start making plays and scoring points. The offense started moving the ball with consistency for the first time since the opening drive of the game as Beard had a 12-yard run and tight end Mekai Griffin gained 10 yards on a reception.

A sack by First Baptist

linebacker/running back/ quarterback Richemard Mellien put the Trinity Catholic offense in a tough position. Beard would gain 12 yard on the next play but it did not matter as Wright’s pass on fourth down was inches shy from being a touchdown as Devontae Grant made a fantastic catch but could not get his feet in bounds.

With the turnover on downs, the First Baptist offense looked to start eating the clock and did so with an 11-play drive before Trinity Catholic cornerback Deshawn Shelton bullied his way through two receivers to get an interception.

Still trailing by 18 with less than 10 minutes left in the game, Trinity Catholic brought in backup quarterback Alan Means. The junior quarterback sparked the offense with a 32yard pass to Gerald Lawton that put the offense at the First Baptist 33-yard line.

Unfortunately, the drive would end there as Means threw four consecutive incompletions for a turnover on downs. First Baptist could not do anything on offense and had to punt, Trinity Catholic tried with one last gasp to get back into the game but an incomplete pass to Lawton on fourth down sealed the 21-3 victory for First Baptist.

It was a historic day for First Baptist Academy as they won their first state championship in school history in their first attempt. As for Trinity Catholic, they are now 2-1 in the state championship game under head coach John Brantley III.

Ocala Christian Academy Defeats Cedar Key

Ocala Christian Academy sophomore Brianna McQuaig scored a gamehigh 19 points and junior Charlotte Culver added 18 to lead the Crusaders to a 69-42 win over Cedar Key on Monday night.

The loss evened Class 1A Cedar Key’s record at 4-4 on the season, while the convincing victory improved Ocala Christian, which placed four players in double figures, to 6-4 overall.

“We have been working on a lot of things in practice and it showed tonight,” said first-year Crusaders coach Betsy Carpenter. “We played amazing and I loved how we shared the ball and so many different girls scored. Our goal this year is to win more games than we did last year and we’ve already done that.”

Both teams started the game slowly before McQuaig scored four points and Culver added four points on a pair of drives to the basket to give the Crusaders a 10-7 lead heading to the second period.

Cedar Key’s Raechel Brinkman scored four of her 16 points and Megan McCain added a bucket to keep the Sharks within striking

distance midway through the second quarter.

Ocala Christian answered with a run sparked by Alexa Botticello, who scored four of her 14 points and McQuaig, who poured in six points, including a baseline jumper, to give the Crusaders a 34-15 lead at the half.

“We executed what we ran in practice and succeeded with it,” said coach Carpenter, who graduated from Ocala Christian in 2012.

Cedar Key tried to cut into its deficit as McCain drained a pair of jump shots as part of an 18-point effort and Brinkman scored four points, including a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Ocala Christian stayed focused and slowly pulled away as Alexa Botticello scored four points and Isabella Botticello added a putback as part of a 10-point night, to give the Crusaders a 5027 lead heading to the final eight minutes.

The teams traded baskets in the final stanza as McCain scored eight points and Brinkman added five for the Sharks, while Culver had six points and McQuaig contributed seven for the victorious Crusaders.

Ocala Christian is back on the hardwood on Tuesday night with a road game at Hope Christian.

Forest Blanks Vanguard in Girls Soccer

Forest senior Kania Dean scored two goals and senior goalie Summer Smith made several nice saves to lead the Wildcats to a 3-0 win over rival Vanguard on Friday night.

The win improved Class 6A Forest to 6-1 on the season.

“That was awesome,” said a pleased Wildcats coach Stacie Menadier. “Our kids toughed it out, played together, figured out how to work through the adversity and found the back of the net. Kania did a great job of locating the through balls and finding the back of the net. Summer was great in goal and continues to improve.”

Class 5A Vanguard, which surrendered its first goals of the season, suffered its first defeat in falling to 9-1.

“We got beat tonight,” said Knights firstyear coach Jay Fratello. “Forest played a better game and we learned a lot. We had a lot of scoring chances, we just couldn’t put one in the back of the net. This is the first game that we’ve given up a goal and we’ll learn from this and work to get better.”

Both teams moved the ball well and displayed solid passing in the first 25 minutes before Forest broke through as Dean, a speedster with great footwork, gathered in a pass, maneuvered past a Vanguard defender and rifled a shot into

the lower right corner of the net to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute of the first half.

Vanguard, which had seven shots on goal, looked to gain the equalizer, but Smith showed excellent reflexes and anticipation and made the saves to keep Forest in front by a score of 1-0 at the half.

Forest, which had nine shots, extended its lead when junior Janellie Castillo gained control of a loose ball and blasted a shot into the back of the net to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead with 14 minutes left in the match.

Vanguard had a pair of shots sail wide before Forest added to its lead on another goal by Dean, who displayed her speed on a beautiful run before slipping a shot into the back of the net to give the Wildcats a commanding 3-0 lead with less than 12 minutes left in the match.

The Knights applied more offensive pressure but Smith and the Forest defense were up to the task and kept Vanguard off the board.in cruising to the victory.

“We’re huge rivals and this win is great for our confidence and shows what we’re capable of when we play together,” coach Menadier said.

Both teams return to the pitch next week with Forest hosting West Port on Monday, while Vanguard takes on Gainesville Buchholz on Friday night at Booster Stadium.

Dunnellon Avenges Season-Opening Loss To Lake Weir With Overtime Win

for Dunnellon, Brown fouled out of the game with 1:26 to go, which ended up being a big loss in the closing moments for Lake Weir.

“It hurt us a lot because she is our defensive glue. She talks and she is active in getting rebounds and that hurt a lot.” Lake Weir head coach Briana Smith said. The senior power forward/center finished with four points, two steals and a team-high 13 rebounds.

Matthews made both free throws to bring Dunnellon within three and came up with a rebound and another basket before Lake nailed a three-pointer from the left side to give Lake Weir a four-point lead with 30 seconds left in the game. Lake led Lake Weir with 15 points and notched three steals defense.

Once again, all hope seemed lost for Dunnellon as Williams missed a free throw but Powell came down with the rebound and found an open Matthews for an easy two points. Still trailing by two with 10.8 seconds left, Dunnellon needed to make a play on defense and did so when Heppner stole the inbound pass at center court and passed it to a wide open Matthews for a layup to tie the game with two seconds left.

The Dunnellon Tigers (4-4) girls basketball team edged out the Lake Weir Hurricanes in a back-and-forth battle that went to overtime on Thursday night.

Lake Weir took control in the opening minutes as Tatum Lake and Morgan Cummings both scorched the net with three-pointers to give their team an 8-0 lead after two minutes. Dunnellon would answer back as Tatiana Matthews scored eight points and nabbed two steals to pull her team within two.

By the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 12 with Matthews scoring 10 points in the opening period. Lake Weir started the second quarter with a bucket as Mia Poper made a textbook bounce pass to Sa’Naria Gunsby.

The remainder of the second quarter was an offensive shootout with the two teams combining for 30 points in the final six minutes before the half. Matthews, K’Mari Williams (12 points, seven rebounds, three steals), Paige Powell (10 points and 10 rebounds), Nia Heppner and Jada Hayes all scored points for Dunnellon in the second quarter to give Dunnellon a 29-27 lead at halftime. Lake Weir also used a committee of scorers as Gunsby (11 points, 7 rebounds), Lake, Cummings, Reniya Ford (11 points, six steals and four rebounds) and Erilynn Beltre came up with points.

“We were in our game in the beginning, and we were playing team ball.” Beltre said.

Dunnellon started the third quarter with points from Matthews and Powell to extend their lead to six. Lake Weir would follow with their best offensive stretch of the game as they went on a 15-2 run in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

Contributions came from every direction as Ford, Gunsby, Lake and Shanice Brown all played a role in the run that gave Lake Weir a seven-point lead. As was the case all game, Matthews and Dunnellon answered as the junior guard scored the game’s next seven points to tie the game with a minute left in the third quarter.

Lake Weir carried a two-point lead into the fourth quarter but Dunnellon took the lead on baskets from Matthews and Williams. It appeared Lake Weir was headed for the driver’s seat when Williams missed two critical free throws with just under four minutes left in the game but Dunnellon got the ball back and Matthews hit a free throw and a layup to tie the game again.

Following Matthew’s run, Lake Weir answered with five consecutive points from Beltre to take a two-possession lead. On the ensuing possession

Being down four with less than twenty seconds left would of sent most teams packing but Dunnellon kept fighting and head coach Chris Thompson was ecstatic with his team’s determination and perseverance.

“We drew up a play to hopefully get it and I told my team whichever team has more heart is going to take it. They wanted it and had already beat us once at our home so we had to take it from them tonight, we drew something up and it worked.”

Thompson said.

The first minute of the overtime period looked like the previous four quarters of back-and-forth as Dunnellon got a basket from Powell and Lake sank her fourth three-pointer of the night to give Lake Weir a one-point lead.

For the remaining three minutes of the extra period, Dunnellon was in control as they went on a 7-2 run to win by a score of 75-68.

Matthews had a historic night for Dunnellon with 48 points and was a menace on defense with five steals. She also scored the game-tying basket to force overtime and was the driving offensive force Dunnellon needed when they would fall behind by six or seven points.

Despite the fantastic individual night, Matthew’s efforts as a leader in the huddle may have been more impactful.

“I told my team we we’re going to go out there and play basketball how we know how to play. The score doesn’t matter, its all about the effort on the court.” Matthews said.

She added: “I’m excited that the team was able to play their hearts out, leave it all on the floor and bring it all together at the end.”

On the other side of the coin, Lake Weir’s Beltre (nine points, three rebounds and three steals) spoke like a seasoned veteran when asked about what her and the team can learn from the loss.

“We got in our own heads too much tonight. I feel like tonight taught us that we need to focus on our goals of make our baskets, play team ball, if your shot doesn’t fall in then get back on defense and get the ball back.” Beltre said.

Coach Smith echoed that sentiment and feels that the loss will give her team motivation moving forward.

“That’s exactly what we talked about in the locker room (after the game), using this motivation and frustration from the end of the game to fuel how you play in the next game and games beyond that. Losing sucks but the learning experience you get from it is invaluable.” Smith said.

Dunnellon improves to 5-4 on the season, their next game is at Umatilla (5-1) on Monday at 6 p.m. Lake Weir slides to 6-2 on the season and will travel to Lecanto on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

North Marion Spoils Lake Weir’s Home Opener

The North Marion Colts fended off Lake Weir’s Jordan Gimenez 35-point performance to pick up their first road win of the season in a 62-45 victory on Tuesday night.

Lake Weir gained control early with a 10-3 run in the first four minutes as Gimenez and senior guard Tylique Christie supplied three-pointers. North Marion would bounce back in the latter half of the first quarter as Jerdarrius Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Brenden Barber all scored points to tie the game at 10 to end the first quarter.

Gimenez came out firing to start the second period with his second three-pointer of the game, but North Marion answered with a six-point run to take a 16-13 lead. Gimenez would tie the game with his third three-pointer of the first half.

North Marion’s Caleb Rollerson (nine points, four rebounds and two steals) sank a layup and a crisp 15-foot jumper from the left side to put North Marion ahead by four before a free-throw battled ensued. Gimenez hit two free throws, followed by Jadarrius Jackson (16 points, four assists and four steals) hitting a pair from the charity stripe and Barber making one of two to extend North Marion’s lead to five.

Lake Weir came back to tie the game with about a minute left in the first half before Rollerson hit a three from the left corner and Jermaine Jackson buried a three from the top of the key as time expired in the second quarter. With those two big shots, North Marion carried a 29-23 lead into halftime.

Jadarrius Jackson picked up his second steal of the game a little over a minute into the third quarter and drained a layup to put North Marion ahead by eight.

North Marion center/power forward Elija Walton (12 points, 12 rebounds) started to get involved in the third quarter after running into foul trouble early in the game. The senior would be the key in period with six points, five rebounds and a steal as North Marion maintained an eight-point lead heading into the final stanza.

“He is a force, we got to feed off his energy. He dunks, runs extremely well and he’s a force in the paint, so we try to use that to our advantage.” North Marion head coach Tim Yarn said.

The momentum continued to lean in the Colts’ favor as Barber grabbed a steal on Lake Weir’s first possession of the fourth quarter and finished with a layup. Walton followed Barber’s great effort by grabbing an offensive rebound off his own miss and

putting it back with a huge dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Lake Weir stayed within striking distance as Gimenez hit a three-pointer and five free throws to keep the deficit at nine. The senior guard added three rebounds and three steals to his scoring efforts.

North Marion sealed the win with a 10-2 run in the final three minutes behind baskets from Jermaine Jackson, Chris Foster, Walton, Jadarrius Jackson and Rollerson. The multi-player offensive attack is an aspect that Yarn is excited about but said he wants to see more aggressiveness as chemistry builds.

“It helps to be able to open up the offense but we’re still a little too passive for me. We will need to attack a little more, but this is only their third game together so the chemistry we will have to build and I think moving forward with the options we have, we are going to do good.” Yarn said.

According to Yarn, the defense and energy were the keys to the win for his team.

“I’m proud of the effort, hats off to Lake Weir. This was their first home game, and they came out with a lot of energy and passion. I was proud of our guys for matching that energy and keeping their composure.” he said.

The record for Lake Weir is not where first-year head coach Freddie Riley wants it to be but said he is seeing improvement as the underclassmen gain experience with three starters out against North Marion.

“The score got away from us in the last few minutes but the guys came out, played hard and competed all night. It was a good test and I saw a lot of good things that show me what we’re capable of. I started three sophomores (Alcarlos Richard, Kevin Shell and John Smith) and I saw more positive than negative.” Riley said.

The star of Lake Weir on Tuesday night was Gimenez, and Riley said he has enjoyed the progression of the senior.

“He’s been phenomenal for us and he’s been doing everything we asked from him as a leader. The younger guys look up to him and he’s a great teammate.”

Lake Weir could possibly get two starters back soon but will have to continue to develop the younger players as the season rolls on.

“They learned a lot tonight, they learned that if you come out and play hard from start to finish, you can compete with anyone.” Riley said.

North Marion will take a couple of days off before they host Forest (6-3) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Lake Weir will be back at home on Thursday at 7 p.m. when they host Dunnellon (2-4).

Tuesday night at Booster stadium featured a battle of the last two undefeated girls’ soccer teams in Marion County as the Vanguard Knights (6-0) faced off against the Belleview Rattlers (4-0). The anticipation heading into the matchup was high as both teams were looking to stake their claim as the best team in the county.

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

within the first 15 minutes of the game.

Martinez scorched the back of the net for the second time on a beautiful assist by McCord to extend the lead to 3-0. Vanguard used speed and physicality on defense to keep the ball on the offensive end as sophomore Amanda Egan notched her fifth goal of the season to make it 4-0.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We came out pretty strong, the girls have been working hard. I thought we had good touch on the ball with passing and moving. Some of these girls had a chip on their shoulder because these were two

undefeated teams and we felt we were better, so they came out to prove that tonight,” Fratello said.

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

“It’s fun playing out here with a bunch of girls who we see during school and in class. It’s just good to come out here and have some fun with them, obviously scoring four goals is amazing but it feels better to do it with your team coming up to hug you and give you high fives,” Martinez said.

McCord added: “We’ve played together on 9 or 10 different club teams and there are a couple of other girls on the team that played with us

as well. It’s cool for us to all be back and playing together again.”

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

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

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