(OCALA, Fla.) February 4, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue and the American Red Cross are joining forces once more, to Sound the Alarm about fire safety.
For a period of three days (January 28th-30th) Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters and Red Cross volunteers roamed the streets of The Villas at Spanish Oaks, mobile home park, as part of a door to door smoke detector installation canvass. Installing 144 smoke alarms in the three day period, the campaign was a huge success. Nonetheless, due to the size of the property, only a portion of the homes within the park were covered. Knowing the need that exists in the area, OFR and the Red Cross have scheduled another three day canvassing event. Continue reading
MARION COUNTY, Florida (February 4, 2018)- At approximately 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 4, 2018, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies were called to a residence located at 9895 SW 151st Place in the Florida Highlands in reference to a well-being check on a possibly suicidal/homicidal individual. When deputies arrived on scene, Paul Powell (DOB: 05/07/1968) made statements that made them concerned for his well-being and for the well-being of others.
Powell also made statements about being armed. In addition to this, deputies learned that Powell had an outstanding felony warrant for Domestic Battery. Powell refused to cooperate with law enforcement and would not exit his residence. The Ocala Police Department SWAT team and the MCSO Crisis Negotiations Team responded to assist and negotiators were able to establish communication with Powell. Continue reading
Feb 2, 2018
Tax season is here and so are IRS imposter scams. These crimes are devastating and result in victims facing years of financial hardships. In recognition of Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, I launched a Twitter campaign highlighting important tips Floridians should take to prevent becoming victims of tax identity theft. I encourage everyone to educate themselves on tax-related scams.
To help prevent tax identity theft follow these steps:
- Shred all documents that contain private information before disposing of them;
- Mail returns directly from the post office;
- File tax returns as early as possible. Procrastinating may cause a greater risk of tax identity theft;
- Notify the IRS ID Theft Protection Specialized Unit at 1(800) 908-4490 if you suspect tax identity theft. Also report any identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov;
- Watch out for IRS imposters. The IRS will not initially contact you by email, text message or social media. If the IRS needs information they will ask by mail; and
- Get an IRS Identity Protection Pin at IRS.gov/getanIPPIN.
The playground at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., will be temporarily closed for maintenance beginning Monday, Feb. 5.
OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2018) – The playground at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., will be temporarily closed for maintenance beginning Monday, Feb. 5 and is expected to re-open to the public Wednesday, Feb. 7. The remaining areas of Tuscawilla Park will be open to the public during the temporary playground closure.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.
The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the annual Cattle Drive and Cowboy Round-Up event Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave.
OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2018) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the annual Cattle Drive and Cowboy Round-Up event Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave. This annual event is presented by the Rotary Clubs of Marion County.
A cattle drive will kick off the event in downtown Ocala and will end at Tuscawilla Park where the real festivities will begin. The cattle drive will begin at 10 a.m. near Jesse’s Computers and Repair located at 300 SE Eighth St. The public is invited to walk behind the cattle drive to Tuscawilla Park. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—To help veterans, active-duty members of the military and their families better cope with stress and trauma, the American Red Cross created a new set of workshops teaching easy-to-use skills that promote wellness through mind-body connection.
What They Do
These Mind-Body Workshops focus on the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors can directly affect health.
The first workshop, Using Mind-Body Skills for Performance, helps participants explore the use of breathing, mindfulness techniques, stretching, movement and guided imagery to aid healing.
The second workshop, Using Mind-Body Skills, guides participants through using mind-body techniques for personal growth and healing through drawing, journaling, meditation, mindfulness, body scan, progressive muscle relaxation and self-directed imagery. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—Owning a car can be a dream or a nightmare depending on how well you take care of your vehicle. Here are six things that many motorists do that can harm their cars and their wallets.
- Ignoring the check engine light. Ignoring an illuminated check engine light can result in serious engine trouble and costly repairs. At the very least, this warning light could alert you to an engine problem that is negatively impacting fuel economy.
- Failing to change fluids and filters. Many fluids are required for operating and protecting vehicle systems and components. Checking fluid levels regularly, along with the filters, helps ensure that your vehicle runs dependably and extends its vehicle life.
- Neglecting your tires. Your vehicle’s tires should be checked frequently for inflation and tread depth. Underinflated tires can wear out more quickly and need to be replaced sooner, plus they can negatively affect safety, gas mileage and performance.
- Not following a service schedule. Because many car parts and components wear out or become damaged over time, vehicles need to be routinely serviced to perform optimally. Routine inspections and timely repairs will help keep your car running efficiently and help you avoid more expensive repairs down the road.
- Keeping a dirty car. Allowing your car to go too long without a wash leads to buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt, increases the potential for rust from road salt and interferes with proper visibility needed for safe driving.
- Being a severe driver. Whether it’s stop-and-go traffic, extreme weather, rough roads or heavy loads, it can sometimes be difficult to limit severe driving conditions. However, you can drive smart and improve fuel economy by observing the speed limit; avoiding aggressive driving, including quick starts and stops; not hauling unnecessary items; and keeping your vehicle properly tuned.
(NAPSI)—Recent research suggests drivers may be behind the wheel of more than 325,000 previously flooded vehicles. That’s a 20 percent increase from 2016 and a stark reminder to consumers to do due diligence when used-car shopping.
One Woman’s Story
“I bought a car last year and the seller never told us anything about it being a flood car,” said Charlene Geiger from Pennsylvania. “When we got home and ran a Carfax, there it was—a flood car from Hurricane Sandy. It showed that the seller bought it as a salvage car and the title was washed when he brought it to Pennsylvania. We lost $16,000 over all of it.”
Where To Be Most Wary
Vehicles reported as flood damaged by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), insurance companies and more have washed up in every state. These 10 have the most: Continue reading
It’s Flu Season: CDC Reminds Public That Antibiotics Do Not Treat Flu
(NAPSI)—Flu season is upon us and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants patients and families to remember that prescription antiviral drugs, not antibiotics, are the treatment for influenza (flu). Antibiotics do not treat viruses that cause colds and the flu. They are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria.
Remember that the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is by getting your annual flu vaccine. It’s not too late to get vaccinated.
KNOW WHAT’S GOT YOU SICK
Viruses cause infections like the common cold, flu, runny noses and most sore throats, and none of these are treated with antibiotics. Illnesses like strep throat, pneumonia and whooping cough are examples of illnesses caused by bacteria that can be treated with antibiotics. Continue reading
Why—And How—To ‘Heart’ Your Kidneys, Every Day
(NAPSI)—Many people don’t know it, but when your kidneys stop working, so do you. Your kidneys are as essential to life as other vital organs, such as your heart. Kidney healthy is also heart healthy, so when you “Heart Your Kidneys,” you also show love for your heart. That’s because the No. 1 cause of death in people with kidney disease is heart disease.
The Problem
More than 30 million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and most are unaware of it. One in three American adults is at risk for chronic kidney disease. It’s the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S., and growing in prevalence. For many people, dialysis or a transplant is needed just to stay alive. Continue reading
