Director Jim Couillard, PLA, ASLA
Project Rotary Sportsplex
Cost $415,000
Size 80 acres
Contractor Boyle Construction, Ocala (batting cage) Ethridge Construction, Ocala (ADA and spectator improvements)
Established in 1998, Rotary Sportsplex provided the community with 11 baseball fields and five soccer fields. The improvements to the park completed in 2018 include the construction of a batting cage suitable for people 12 years and older, the addition of ADA parking and accessible sidewalks, and spectator enhancements around the Cal Ripken premier baseball field. Other improvements that enhance the user experience include new informational kiosks and themed elements such as the large baseball bollards at the quad entrance.
In 2017 Rotary Sportsplex had an estimated 233,000 users and was host to four tournaments, including the Cal Ripken T-Ball Qualifier, Cal Ripken Rookie Qualifier, Cal Ripken 10B 12B State Tournament, and the Babe Ruth 13 & 14 Southeast Regional Tournament. These tournaments had a combined economic impact of $3.6 million dollars on Marion County. Continue reading
- Date: 01/13/2019 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: Paddock Mall
3100 SW College Rd.
Ocala, Florida 34470
The Ocala Half Marathon has been an anchor in the Ocala running community since 1999. The running event consists of the half marathon, 15K, 10K and 5K distances. All start and finish at the Paddock Mall, course runs through Ocala. For additional information, please contact Christopher Moling, President of Citrus Road Runners at 352.637.2475 or go to www.OcalaHalfMarathon.com.
- Date: 01/11/2019 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Tuscawilla Art Park
223 NE Fifth St.
Ocala, Florida 34470
Enjoy live music by Kindo, citing influences from Dave Brubeck to Ben Folds, this group has a sound that is unique, refreshing and universally personable. For details, please contact Patty Hanchar of the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Cultural Arts division at 352.239.8851.
It is an unfortunate reality that not all kids can afford to participate in paid recreation programs and summer camps. At the City of Ocala, we endeavor to ensure that every child has an opportunity to participate. You can help us continue to make constructive play time a reality for underprivileged children by making a donation to the Let them PLAY! Scholarship Fund.
Please go to our website to donate today or mail a check to Let them PLAY! Scholarship Fund, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala, Florida 34470.
Thank you in advance for your investment in Ocala’s children.
MARION COUNTY, Florida (December 10, 2018) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives have positively identified the remains of husband and wife, Robert Lee Cooper (DOB: 01/22/1981) and Ariel Vanessa Prim (DOB: 04/16/1989), whose remains were found inside their home after it had caught fire on July 28, 2018. Detectives are now asking for the public’s help in revealing any information that may bring some clarity to the suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths.
On Saturday, July 28, Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters responded to 4030 SE 84th Lane
Road in Ocala in reference to a structure fire. When they arrived on scene, firefighters discovered the burnt remains of a mobile home. While searching the remnants of the residence, they discovered human remains inside the house and immediately requested the assistance of the MCSO. In the months following the incident, MCSO Major Crimes detectives conducted a thorough investigation into the deaths and finally received the DNA results confirming the remains to be Cooper’s and Prim’s on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. Continue reading
As this is my final newsletter as Florida’s Attorney General, I look back on the last eight years and I am so grateful to have served this great state. It has been the honor of a lifetime to be my home state’s chief legal officer. Since being elected in 2011, my office has made tremendous strides to reduce crime, save lives, protect consumers and make Florida the best state to live, work and raise a family.
When I first took office, Florida was referred to as the Pill Mill Capital of the United States. Through the shutdown of pill mills, cracking down on drug traffickers and comprehensive litigation to battle the opioid crisis, we have made significant progress to fight drugs in Florida. Efforts to eradicate human trafficking have progressed tremendously from new laws, raising public awareness and creating new resources to provide help for victims. Also, defending Florida consumers from fraud and scams, developing programs to prevent school shootings and aiding our military veterans have been just some of the many initiatives that I am proud to be a part of and hope will continue to be a priority going forward. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE—Today, the Miami Herald published a misleading and inaccurate article stating that the Department has not been forthcoming about well water testing results in North Marion County, in the Lowell area. The Herald asserts that DOH should have notified homeowners regarding test results that were not yet complete. After testing was completed, affected homeowners were immediately notified. Also, a press release was issued last month regarding this issue. DOH worked quickly to notify the public and to obtain the proper permission to test private wells. Only five private wells tested positive for an exceedance of PFOAS and PFOA.
“The Department’s ongoing efforts to sample private wells, inform well owners and ensure safe drinking water across the state is a crucial part of our mission,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. “Unfortunately, the Miami Herald has failed to accurately capture our long-standing and established sampling and reporting procedures and we hope to clear up any misconceptions about our ongoing efforts in the Ocala community. At no time did the Department delay notification to residents about any well sampling results.”
Ingredients
25 large strawberries
1 (3 oz) box strawberry Jell-O
1 c. water, boiled
1 c. vodka
1 1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
2 tsp. coconut oil
Directions
Slice off the tops and tips of strawberries, removing the stem and leveling them so they can stand up on a flat surface. Using a small melon baller, gently scoop out inside of strawberry, creating a “shot glass.” Discard insides. Continue reading
Ingredients
2 refrigerated pie crusts
Flour for rolling out dough
1/2 c. strawberry jam
Egg wash
1/4 c. Granulated sugar, for sprinkling
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 pie crust. Using a paring knife, cut out long diamond shapes, about 4″ on each side. Transfer diamonds to baking sheet. Re-roll extra dough to make more diamonds. (You should have enough dough to make about 6.)
Fill the center of each diamond with a very thin layer of strawberry filling, then fold three of the corners into the center so that the dough looks like an open envelope. Use a small heart cookie cutter to stamp out remaining dough into hearts, and place in the center of each.
Brush envelopes with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until envelopes are golden, about 15 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
(NAPSI)—Throughout the season, for many football fans, the real game is played on an entirely different field of play: the parking lot.
Tailgating in Wisconsin is taken as seriously as the game itself, often featuring an assortment of brats, hamburgers, pulled pork, chili, chips, cookies, cake, beer and whatever intricate recipe an ambitious parking lot cook can concoct. Likely absent are such foods as apples, carrots and milk that can help your oral health.
Here are some tips for prioritizing good oral health and food options at your next tailgate.
Don’t Punt on Appetizers
No tailgate is complete without a platter of appetizers, including chips, dips, chicken wings and cheese. Small changes to the menu can make for a big difference in oral health. Continue reading
