OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2018) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Oct. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:
6 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Chris Ryals on the main event stage located at the downtown square near the gazebo.
7 p.m. – Contemporary dance performance by West Port High School’s MCCA Dance Program.
8 p.m. – The Arts District Studio will present a zombie-themed dance performance.
Free hands-on art activities for all ages will be provided throughout the event by 98.5 KTK, Appleton Museum of Art, Art Army of Ocala, Discovery Center, Karate America Ocala, Marion County Public Library, the Ocala Chippers and Painting with a Twist. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2018) – The City of Ocala Public Works Department, Sanitation Division would like to provide the following tips to City residents to keep them safe and informed when selecting a company to perform tree work on their property this fall.
“The threat of severe weather events, declining tree health or residents’ desire to have trees removed on their property creates a heightened awareness of trees and their threat to homes and businesses,” said Dwayne Drake, Sanitation Division Head, City of Ocala. “It is important for residents to know what their tree trimming and debris removal options are and what they should expect from a tree service company.”
All contractors, or those doing the work, are responsible for hauling off all tree debris immediately upon completion of the job. Continue reading
Register today for upcoming diabetes self-management classes
During short-term illnesses, many people interrupt their normal habits to help fight their symptoms. For example, they may eat chicken noodle soup and drink a lot of water to speed up their recoveries. When someone is facing a chronic illness like diabetes, however, there may be long-term changes that people need to make to their daily habits to ensure they stay as healthy as possible.
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is holding a series of free Diabetes Self-Management classes starting Oct. 2 so residents can learn more about diabetes and the changes they may need to make to their daily habits if they have it. The six-week class will cover: understanding diabetes, risk factors, eyes, teeth, toes and feet, physical activity, meal planning, preventing complications, and medications and medical care. Class locations, dates and times are: Continue reading
Florida Fish and Wildlife
FWC and DEP have provided an additional nearly $2.2 million to Mote Marine Laboratory for the initiation of its field testing of a specialized clay focused on quelling red tide and expansion of its Ozone Treatment System which takes water containing the algae that causes red tide and filters it, returning clean water back to areas impacted by this naturally-occurring algae.
Governor Scott sent a letter to FWC urging the Commission to take the following action on red tide:
Create the Florida Center for Red Tide Research, a new resource for local communities impacted by red tide;
Re-establish the Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force; and
Request an increase of funding for red tide research during the upcoming 2019 Florida Legislative Session.
At Governor Scott’s direction, FWC has partnered with world-renowned experts and scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Mote Marine Laboratory, the University of South Florida and DEP to focus on using a form of specialized clay to quell the effects of red tide. See the announcement https://www.flgov.com/2018/09/19/gov-scott-fwc-launches-innovative-partnership-with-world-renowned-scientists-to-combat-red-tide/ Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the State of Florida will direct a $2,178,000 investment to test innovative technologies to mitigate the effects of red tide utilizing specialized clay field experiments and other innovative approaches for controlling and mitigating the impacts of red tide including expansion of Mote Marine Laboratory’s Ozone Treatment System. Mote Marine Laboratory has continuously and successfully tested the Ozone systems in both their tanks at the Mote Marine Laboratory aquarium in Sarasota and most recently in canals in Boca Grande. These systems have proven to successfully clean water, ridding it of the algae that causes red tide. Three additional mitigation technologies are also in development at Mote Marine Laboratory. Last week, Governor Scott announced a partnership between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and world-renowned experts and scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Mote Marine Laboratory, the University of South Florida (USF) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to focus on using a form of specialized clay to quell the effects of red tide. Red tide is naturally-occurring algae that has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1840’s and occurs nearly every year. For more information on red tide in Florida, go to http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/faq/. Continue reading
Florida governor candidate Adam Putnam has endorsed false information about the FAIRtax bill HR 25 as co-sponsored by Ron DeSantis. FAIRtax is not in addition to the federal income tax. The FAIRtax is REPLACEMENT tax for the present income/payroll tax system. Representative DeSantis understands the evils of the present federal income/payroll tax system.
Florida has no state income tax. Unlike other states which have both state income taxes and state sales taxes, the state of Florida receives its revenue from a state sales tax. This appeals to many who are moving to Florida to escape their states’ income taxes and , more importantly, to have financial liberty. Residents choose when they pay state sales taxes by their spending habits . All the while all people who make purchases in the state contribute to the state coffers. What is working best for Florida is also best for the country by having FAIRtax ,the national sales tax, provide the same amount of federal revenue and apply fairly to all citizens. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the reappointment of two to the Department of Elderly Affairs Advisory Council.
Kerry Marsalek, of Clearwater, is the manager for the Clearwater Office on Aging. She is reappointed for a term beginning September 27, 2018, and ending September 30, 2020.
Dr. Mohammad Choudhry, 52, of Leesburg, is a Neurophysician. He is reappointed for a term beginning September 27, 2018, and ending September 30, 2019.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of William Meggs and Garrett Richter to the Commission on Ethics.
Meggs, 75, of Tallahassee is a former State Attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Meggs also served as Leon County Deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and has served as President of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning September 27, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019.
Richter, 68, of Naples is the President and Chief Executive Officer of First Florida Integrity Bank. He is a former State Representative and Senate President Pro Tempore and served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections. Richter served both in the United States Army and United States Air Force Reserve and was awarded a Bronze Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning September 27, 2018, and ending June 30, 2020.
The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
Join US!
October 23rd 6:00pm at Elks Lodge 702 NE 25th Ave with dinner available.
Florida Federated Republican Women’s Ocala Chapter – Membership Drive.
When a Republican woman becomes a member of the Federation, she has access to … campaigns, communications, issue advocacy, membership recruitment.
Information supplied by Debra Jenkins
September 21, 2018
No matter how big or small the target is, identity theft is a devastating crime that can leave individuals and families with heavy financial hardships. Understandably, victims can experience high levels of anxiety and emotional distress for months and even years trying to clear their names.
This week, my Office of Statewide Prosecution successfully prosecuted a Palm Beach County man on two counts of public assistance fraud and two counts of identity theft. The defendant stole names, social security numbers and dates of birth from hundreds of victims.
Michelson Janvier used this information to apply for Food Stamp benefits, otherwise known as SNAP/EBT benefits through the Florida Department of Children and Families. Janvier physically obtained EBT cards in the victims’ names, using them to make purchases at numerous South Florida retailers and even trafficked in food stamps at a market in Hialeah. Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Jonathan Bridges and Patricia Abdi prosecuted this case. Continue reading
