The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the City of Ocala to receive a Brownfields Environmental Assessment grant in the amount of $300,000.
OCALA, Fla. (May 9, 2018) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected the City of Ocala to receive a Brownfields Environmental Assessment grant in the amount of $300,000.
Ocala is one of three communities selected in Florida and one of 144 communities nationwide. The grant is intended to be used to conduct outreach, Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments, and cleanup planning. The City of Ocala and EPA will work together under a cooperative agreement to assess and if needed, plan for cleanup of underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment.
“EPA’s Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure,” said Scott Pruitt, EPA Administrator. “These grants leverage other public and private investments and improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment.” Continue reading
By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
In 2018, more than a million people will be diagnosed with cancer around the world. This alarming statistic affects people and families everywhere. On June 3, 2018, we observe National Cancer Survivors Day in the United States. In support of this day, Social Security encourages getting checkups to provide early detection, raise awareness through education, and recognize the survivors who have gone through this battle or are still living with the disease.
Social Security supports people who are fighting cancer. We offer support to patients dealing with this disease through our disability program. People with certain cancers may be eligible for a Compassionate Allowance. Compassionate Allowances are cases where individuals have medical conditions so severe they obviously meet Social Security’s disability standards, allowing us to process the cases quickly with minimal medical information. Continue reading
Social Security Helps You Care for Seniors
By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15. This is an opportunity for everyone, all over the world, to voice their opposition to abuses inflicted on some of the most vulnerable members of our society. For more than 80 years, Social Security has provided for the elderly as part of our everyday mission.
Sometimes a family member is incapable of representing themselves due to health reasons. Generally, we look for family or friends to serve as representative payees. Social Security’s Representative Payment Program helps our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. You can read more about the program at www.socialsecurity.gov/payee. Continue reading
By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Senior Couple Walking With Pet Bulldog In Countryside
Retirement doesn’t have the same meaning for everyone. Some people plan to retire and never work again. Some people plan for second careers in occupations that wouldn’t have adequately supported their families, but they do the work for pure enjoyment. Some people, whether by design or desire, choose to work part-time or seasonally to supplement their retirement income.
Retirees (or survivors) who choose to receive Social Security benefits before they reach full retirement age (FRA) and continue to work have an earnings limit. In 2017, the annual earnings limit was $16,920 for those under FRA the entire calendar year. In 2018, it is $17,040. If you earn over the limit, we deduct $1 from your Social Security monthly benefit payment for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. Continue reading
By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Senior woman working in the flower nursery, with copy space
Retirement doesn’t have the same meaning for everyone. Some people plan to retire and never work again. Some people plan for second careers in occupations that wouldn’t have adequately supported their families, but they do the work for pure enjoyment. Some people, whether by design or desire, choose to work part-time or seasonally to supplement their retirement income.
Retirees (or survivors) who choose to receive Social Security benefits before they reach full retirement age (FRA) and continue to work have an earnings limit. In 2017, the annual earnings limit was $16,920 for those under FRA the entire calendar year. In 2018, it is $17,040. If you earn over the limit, we deduct $1 from your Social Security monthly benefit payment for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. (May 11, 2018) – The City of Ocala will begin work on a habitat restoration project on the east side of the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., the week of May 14. This project will focus on the environmental renovation of the park’s seep spring area and will address erosion issues, according to City staff.
To facilitate a safe environment for park patrons, areas impacted by restoration activities will be closed for access to the public until further notice. These areas will be clearly barricaded and marked with appropriate signage. Media and the public will be notified when these areas will reopen to the public. Continue reading
This week, Florida lost a law enforcement hero. Highlands County Sheriff’s Deputy William Gentry was shot while responding to a dispute between neighbors. He was rushed to the hospital where, the next day, he passed.
Deputy Gentry died a hero, and our entire law enforcement community is mourning his loss. Please pray for his family, friends and members of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office during this difficult time.
Sadly, Deputy Gentry is the fourth law enforcement officer Florida lost this year.
I am humbled by these courageous officers and their sacrifice. In the face of such bravery and heartache, we must not forget their families. They have suffered wounds that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives; but, along with their heartache, I pray they also carry our gratitude and admiration.
Continue reading
MARION COUNTY, Florida (May 7, 2018) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) are seeking information on the location of Curleasha Harris (B/F, DOB: 12/04/1984) and her four children. DCF has child custody pick-up orders for Samson Robinson (B/M, DOB: 01/28/2005), Shan’nya Montgomery (B/F, DOB: 01/18/2008), Dorian Leach (B/M, DOB: 09/11/2014) and Andre Harris (B/M, DOB: 02/12/2016). Deputies and DCF investigators believe these children are in danger while in their mother’s care and Harris has continually evaded DCF.
Harris was last seen occupying a white Mercury 4-door vehicle and might be staying in Deer Run, located in the City of Ocala. Harris’ last known address is 2912 NE 4th Court in Ocala. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Harris and/or the four children, please call 911 immediately.
The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department and the Fort King Heritage Association will host a special event Thursday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St.
Post Date:05/07/2018 1:55 PM
OCALA, Fla. (May 7, 2018) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department and the Fort King Heritage Association will host a special event Thursday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., to announce the addition of a cannon to the Fort King property. The cannon will be available on-site for those in attendance to view during this special event.
The cannon is a model one 1841 bronze mountain howitzer mounted on a field carriage with 41-inch wheels. These were used from the mid-1830s through the Indian wars in the 1870s. The tube is solid cast bronze approximately 38 inches long with a 4 1/2-inch bore and is fully functional. The cannon attaches to a full-scale limber with two ammunition boxes and comes with all the accoutrements for operating the gun, including the worm, the rammer, gauntlets, thumbstall, muzzle cover, powder prick and everything needed to fire the gun. The cannon also comes with a correct grease bucket and water bucket. The cannon is a correct period replica with a chambered breach and is a direct copy of the one in the Smithsonian, according to staff. Continue reading
- Date:05/10/2018 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location:City Hall Gallery
151 SE Watula Ave
Ocala, Florida 34471
The City of Ocala in partnership with the Magnolia Art Xchange present “REFLECTIONS”, a Student and Emerging Artist Exhibition.
EXHIBITION DATES: MAY 9 – JULY 26, 2018
AWARD LEVELS: Best of Show, PLUS 1st – 3rd in each division
AWARDS = $2,000 VALUE:
- Artist Profile in Ocala Style Magazine (Best of Show)
- Professional Artwork Scan (1st Place each Division)
- Scholarships to College of Central Florida (High School Division)
- Appleton Museum of Art Memberships, Art Walk Memberships, MCA Memberships, Scholarships to College of Central Florida
Entertainment and light refreshments will be provided at the opening reception. For questions or more information, contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Office at artinfo@ocalafl.org or call 352-629-8447.
