The Marion County Library System and Coping with Dementia LLC have announced a Spring series of free ABC of Dementia workshops again in 2023. Dates and locations through April, 2023 are as follows.
Belleview Library, located at 13145 SE County Hwy 484. Workshops will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 27; Friday, March 31; and Friday, April 28, 2023.
Freedom Public Library, located at 5870 SW 95th Street in Ocala. Workshops will be offered on Thursday, January 26, 2 to 4 p.m.; Friday, February 24, 2 to 4 p.m.; and Friday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dunnellon Public Library, located at 2-351 Robinson Road, will offer a workshop on Thursday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marion Oaks Library, located at 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Wednesday, April 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sankofa Public Library, located at 1821 NW 21st Street in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Thursday, April 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Continue reading
Ocala, Florida – Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) has been serving Marion, Lake, Sumter, and Alachua counties for 40 years. A celebration will take place on February 4th, 2023, at CF Vintage Farm from 6 to 10 pm. Come share in the memories and love that so many have made possible. MTRA provides equine assisted services to individuals with physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges. Programs include therapeutic riding, equine assisted learning, PTSD psychotherapy for Veterans in partnership with the Ocala Vet Center and Speech and Language pathology through Hippotherapy in partnership with Advent health. “Community support is what has driven this organization to a successful 40 years of service” says Executive Director Pam Morrison.
MTRA relies heavily on the generosity of the community and it’s businesses through donations, grants and other funding. They have maintained the equine assisted therapy program in Ocala for over forty years. Continue reading
Duke Energy Florida announced it has identified four locations in Franklin, Highlands and Marion counties for inclusion in its 2022 Site Readiness Program to evaluate and prepare industrial site opportunities for economic development investments.
“Duke Energy Florida is committed to powering the lives of our customers and the vitality of our communities,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Through the Site Readiness Program, we continue to work closely with various government and private sector organizations to bring new jobs and capital investment to the state of Florida. We are proud of this program’s initial success and we will continue to offer economic development initiatives that bring value to the communities we serve.”
Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners with county officials, local economic development professionals and landowners to develop a strategy for getting sites fully ready to market to industrial prospects. In Florida alone, the Site Readiness Program has resulted in 680 new jobs and $183 million in capital investment in Florida since 2013. Continue reading
Scams and fraud tactics are part of our society. With advanced technology, predators can easily commit crimes from the comfort of their home or “workplace.” The Police Department receives complaints about scams frequently. Here are a few that are noteworthy and are driven on emotion or fear. Think before you react! Do not give out personal information, make any wire transfer or purchase gift cards.
- The IRS called requesting personal information or threatening arrest for a payment of owed taxes. The IRS will not call you and request you make payments using gift cards or wire transfers.
- Another financial scam people report is their bank or other financial institution calling “alerting” that their account has been hacked and they need your information to stop a transaction from happening. If it’s truly your bank calling, they will have all of your information, right? Hang up and call your bank to verify if you need to.
- The “Grandparent” scam is still prevalent in this area. You may receive a call from your “grandchild” who is trouble and is afraid to call their parent. A request for a wire transfer or gift card will be made for bond. Call your son/daughter to verify where your grandchild is.
- If you receive a call from a person who allegedly works for Microsoft or any anti-virus company indicating that there is a problem with your computer, they are looking to access your computer remotely. They want you to give them permission to access your computer to “fix” the problem. This person will have access to all of your information and any saved banking and/or credit card information. If you are on the internet and a message pops up indicating you have a virus and need to call Microsoft or an anti-virus software company, do not call them. They are attempting the same scam.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced nearly $20 million to support water quality improvement projects along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). These projects will help collect stormwater runoff and treat it to reduce the amount of pollutants and nutrients that enter the IRL. These projects are in addition to the $255 million Florida is already investing to protect the IRL, including targeting wastewater, septic to sewer, and other needed restoration projects.
“Investing in the protection of our waterways is a great way for us to ensure the long-term health of our natural resources,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This funding will help build the infrastructure needed to improve water quality as we continue to make investments to protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon.”
“Decades of human impacts have resulted in impaired water quality in the Indian River Lagoon, specifically from nutrients,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “As a result of the leadership of Governor DeSantis and unprecedented investments in water quality, the Department, in conjunction with project partners, is focusing on tackling the root cause of nutrient pollution.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —(Read to the end) Governor Ron DeSantis signed and Excutive Order 23-06 (Achieving Even More Now for Florida’s Environment) to further advance the protection of Florida’s environment and water quality.
Read what environmental leaders and stakeholders are saying about the future of conservation in Florida:
“The Everglades Foundation applauds Governor DeSantis’ four-year record commitment of $3.5 billion for the Everglades.
“A week after his inauguration, on the anniversary of the momentous executive order he signed four years ago, Governor DeSantis has signed a new executive order laying out a blueprint that builds off the promises he fulfilled during his first term. The executive order increases his funding commitment to $3.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration, water quality initiatives, and protecting water supply for Floridians, “Clean and usable waterways are the backbone of Florida’s economy. Governor DeSantis recognized this issue from the beginning of his term and has continued to deliver on his commitments. Continue reading
Over 140 GOP Conference members sign on as original cosponsors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced the introduction of the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023.
This bill would reassert Congress’ legislative authority and prevent excessive overreach by the executive branch in the federal rulemaking process. It would require every new “major rule” proposed by federal agencies to be approved by both the House and Senate before going into effect. The bill would also preserve Congress’ authority to disapprove of a “nonmajor rule” through a joint resolution.
The REINS Act would define a “major rule” as any federal rule or regulation that may result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. Continue reading
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Rep. Kat Cammack joined more than 100 Republican Members of Congress on House Republican Conference Vice Chairman Mike Johnson’s (LA-04) congressional resolution condemning the nationwide wave of violence, property damage, threats, trespassing, and intimidation against pro-life organizations in 2022 by pro-abortion activists in the wake of the Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.
“The Supreme Court opinion re-establishing the authority of individual states to prohibit the killing of unborn children sent the Democrat Party and other radical pro-abortion activists off the deep end in 2022,” said Rep. Johnson. “Since there has been so little accountability for the leaked draft opinion and ensuing violence and intimidation against pro-lifers, we are introducing this resolution to make the position of Congress crystal clear: violence, property damage, threats, and intimidation tactics must be condemned, and these clear violations of federal and state laws must be prosecuted.”
The resolution is scheduled for a vote in the House this week.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, introduced by Congresswoman Cammack, Congresswoman Ann Wagner, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill ensures that infants born alive after an abortion attempt receive the same protection of law and degree of care as any newborn.
“For the last several years under Democrat control, the House failed to vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This changed during the first week of the Republican majority,” said Rep. Cammack. “It’s an honor to not only see this bill pass the House, but to receive overwhelming support from my colleagues. Upholding the value and sanctity of life has been a personal mission for me, and this bill plays a key role in affirming what the American people have always known: life is sacred. I’d like to extend a special thanks to my colleagues Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Congresswoman Ann Wagner for their leadership on this issue, and to all my Republican colleagues who voted for life today.”
Congresswoman Kat Cammack is one of four co-chairs of the House Pro-Life Caucus.
GAINESVILLE, FL — Today, the House Committee on Agriculture announced its committee roster for the 118th Congress. Representative Cammack will serve a second term on the committee as the only Florida Republican of the 26 total GOP Conference members appointed.
“It’s an honor to serve a second term on the Agriculture Committee,” said Rep. Cammack. “2023 is a big year for the committee with the 2023 Farm Bill heading our way. The Farm Bill will prioritize the needs of our farmers, ranchers, and foresters who work hard each day to feed, clothe, and fuel our nation. After the last two years of labor shortages, supply chain challenges, and soaring prices, I’m looking forward to joining my colleagues to put the needs of our producers and rural communities first.”
“I welcome this diverse group of legislators to the House Committee on Agriculture for the 118th Congress,” said Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. “It’s imperative we hit the ground running through a rigorous hearing schedule, listening sessions, and aggressive oversight. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues as we put forward commonsense solutions that provide certainty for rural America.” Continue reading
