OCALA (Oct. 19, 2018) – The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 3.7 percent in September, down a full percentage point over the month and 1.1 percent lower than the same time last year.
The labor force was 202,042, a bump of 1,707 over the month and 795 more over the year. The number of those with jobs increased by 3,603 over the month to 194,554 which is 2,917 more than September 2017. The number of unemployed dropped by 1,896 since August to 7,488, a decrease of 2,122 over the year.
According to today’s release of the September employment summary by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Levy County continues to hold the lowest jobless rate in the region at 3.2 percent, down from the August rate of 4.1 percent; Marion County’s rate is 3.6 percent, a 0.9 percent drop over the month; and Citrus County’s rate fell from 5.4 percent to 4.3 percent.
To put that in context, the last time the region’s unemployment rates were that low, the average price of a movie ticket was $6.88, admission to Disney World was $71, gas cost $2.85 a gallon and The Departed struck box office gold. That was in April and May 2007 for Marion and Citrus counties and May 2006 for Levy County. Continue reading
The Ocala Art Group (OAG) is hosting a lecture by acclaimed artist Curtis Arnett, one of the original Florida Highwaymen, on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 from 11 am to 1 pm in the auditorium of the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470.
Arnett is one of the youngest of 26 African-American artists who traveled the highways of I-95 and A1A decades ago, who later became known as The Highwaymen. They sold their Florida landscape paintings inexpensively which today are widely sought after for their historical value. Many of these paintings can be found on public display in banks, office buildings and private homes throughout Florida and the United States.
You won’t want to miss this program that will include a history of Mr. Arnett’s life, his journey as one of the Florida Highwaymen and a demonstration of his art. This event will undoubtedly excite and inspire artists as well as art enthusiasts. The program is free to members of the Ocala Art Group and the Appleton Museum of Art. If you are not a member, you may join prior to the program. Please contact Richard Woy at (352) 598-9069 or woyzus@cs.com for more information.
The Lady Lake Chamber Hob Nob was a great success. Sue Kelly, executive director of the Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce introduced and thanked the sponsors and thanked everyone for coming. The sponsors for the event were Cubicles Plus, Primerica and Clear View Optix. Demshars. Food was great, lots of socializing and business discussions. Door prizes were given out by drawing business cards collected at the door. As you can see by the pictures everyone was busy and enjoying the HOB NOB!
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott is in constant communication with federal, state and local emergency management officials and state agency leaders to ensure that communities impacted by Hurricane Michael are receiving the resources they need. Governor Scott has surveyed damage from Hurricane Michael in Bay, Gadsden, Washington, Liberty, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Wakulla, Franklin and Jackson counties. Yesterday, the Governor issued Executive Order 18-283 which gives Supervisors of Elections in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty and Washington counties the authority to extend and enhance voting options based on needs and challenges they have identified.
Following Governor Scott’s request, President Donald Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Michael. See the declaration at www.flgov.com. On October 7th, Governor Scott declared a state of emergency in 26 Florida counties, and expanded it to include 35 counties total on October 8th. To see his Emergency Order, go to www.flgov.com. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida today thanked the following businesses for their generous donations to the Florida Disaster Fund, which was activated by Governor Scott to aid those impacted by Hurricane Michael. The Florida Disaster Fund, administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities in times of disaster. To make a contribution, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222 to make a donation of $10.
- Wells Fargo ($250,00)
- Aetna ($100,000)
- Duke Energy ($50,000)
- Uber ($25,000)
Governor Scott said, “As we recover from Hurricane Michael, we have seen so much support for families impacted by this devastating storm and we are grateful for the generosity of so many Floridians and Americans who donated. Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund go directly to support families in their recovery and help them get back on their feet. We cannot thank these businesses enough for helping our state during this difficult time.” Continue reading
The recovery efforts continue in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Michael, and this week, I joined first responders, recovery crews and volunteers helping people in the aftermath of this deadly storm. I cannot thank our utility companies enough for their tireless efforts to restore power in areas filled with total devastation.
Cell service continues to provide challenges for first response and people affected by Michael. A major issue was that most of the cell service in the area was powered by Verizon. Governor Rick Scott and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis have championed this issue to help these citizens regain the cell service they desperately need. AT&T stepped up and brought in many mobile cell towers, as well as mobile phones.
I want to thank Tracfone, a national company based in Miami, for donating 200 phones fully charged with 60 days of AT&T service to help our first responders. These are just a few example of organizations stepping up to help those in need. In Franklin County with Sheriff A.J. Smith, we met a group of St. Petersburg pilots flying donated chainsaws, gas cans and other necessities directly to disaster sites. Continue reading
October 16, 2018
This week, I joined President Donald J. Trump and my fellow members on the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis at the White House for an important bill signing ceremony. Our country is in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming thousands of lives, and as we continue to combat this crisis, I am encouraged by the President’s leadership and support.
During the ceremony, President Trump signed the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act that expands access to drug treatment and recovery services.
The SUPPORT Act is the single largest legislative package addressing a single drug crisis in history. This bipartisan legislation will bolster ongoing efforts, both in Florida and nationwide, to stop addiction and save lives. Continue reading
Welcome to Bargains by the Pallet. Bargains by the Pallet is a new locally owned business, open to the public. Our clients vary from online stores, flea market merchants, brick and mortar small business retail stores to individuals needing items for themselves. We sell full pallets of mixed merchandise that arrive straight from various retail store distribution centers. Products can range from furniture items, computer and other electronic goods, baby items, skate boards, patio items, tools, small kitchen appliances and other general merchandise. Every pallet is different. Every truck load is different.
Bargains by the Pallet was established September 1, 2018 by Andrea Calhoun and Bob Siebert, commonly referred to as beauty and the beast. This couple is not originally from Ocala, Florida. They moved to Ocala from Rome, GA. where Andrea lived most of her life. In Rome she was a mother (now grandmother), a florist and a friend. Bob has lived in Georgia for over 25 years. There he was a father, retail manager, a super hero and movie buff and all around great guy. Continue reading
(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 19, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) received 14 cancer exposure decontamination kits from the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Thursday, Oct. 18.
The decontamination kits are 14 of 4,216 units obtained through a $1million grant to the Firefighter Cancer Mitigation Grant Program, awarded to 405 fire departments across the state of Florida. Each kit includes tools essential for soot and particulate removal from bunker gear before firefighters leave the scene of a fire. Kits are comprised of: a five-gallon bucket, clear bags, duct tape, dish soap, scrub brush, spray bottle, wipes, two 50-foot hose lines with nozzles, adapters and collapsible traffic cones.
According to research by the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), firefighters in the United States have a nine percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population. The purpose of the decontamination kits is to reduce firefighter’s exposure to cancer-causing agents which result from combustions at a fire scene. Continue reading
Gov. Scott: FLOW Mobile Deployed to Gulf County
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) will deploy a Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) vehicle tomorrow, October 23rd, in Gulf County. These vehicles provide driver license and other motor vehicle services to families impacted by Hurricane Michael. Additional FLOW mobiles are in Bay, Franklin, Jackson and Liberty counties.
The FLOW Mobile in Gulf County will be located at:
Gulf County Tax Collector Office
151 North 3rd Street
Wewahitchka, FL 32465
Hours of operation: 9am – 4pm, CDT
FLOW mobiles provide customers the following services:
- Renew or obtain a Florida driver license and/or ID card;
- Replace a driver license and/or ID card;
- Change a name or address on a driver license and/or ID card;
- Renew a vehicle registration;
- Obtain or renew a disabled person parking permit; and
- Purchase a specialty license plate.
