(OCALA, Fla.) October 11, 2017 – A fire reported this morning at 2841 NE 7th St. left a family of four displaced.
Ocala Fire Rescue arrived at 9:44 AM, to Berkley Point Apartments, where a structure fire was reported. Upon entry into the apartment complex, firefighters found a smoke and flames showing from a first level corner unit. With medics verifying the wellbeing of the occupants who self-evacuated, firefighters began attacking the flames. The fire, originating in one of the apartment’s bedrooms, was knocked down within six minutes of arrival, and completely extinguished by 9:54 AM.
Fire and smoke damage in the unit of origin and the unit directly above it rendered both apartments uninhabitable. Because the second-floor unit was vacant, only one family was displaced. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Continue reading
MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives have arrested Gabriel Bowen (DOB: 03/20/1999) for an Armed Home Invasion Robbery he committed in July 2017. In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 22, 2017, Bowen entered the victims’ home, battered and restrained them, and stole miscellaneous belongings along with their vehicle. Bowen was located several hours later driving the victims’ vehicle by the Holly Hill Police Department, where he was arrested for Auto Theft and Resisting Arrest charges. Furthermore, MCSO detectives discovered the victims’ stolen belongings in the back seat of the car Bowen was driving. Bowen was sentenced on the Holly Hill Police Department charges and was extradited back to Marion County to face our charges Monday evening.
The two 72-year old female victims told MCSO Major Crimes detectives that an unknown assailant, later identified as Bowen, unlawfully entered their home located on SE 3rd Court in Ocala while they were sleeping. One of the victims said she awoke to something being placed over her head and being physically dragged to the bathroom by her shirt. Continue reading
FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE TEAM CONDUCTING FOLLOWUP WITH CITIZENS
MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017) – A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Team will be at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office-Emergency Operations Center (692 NW 30th Ave, Ocala, FL 34475) on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 through Friday, October 13, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The FEMA Assistance Team will be assisting with follow-up on Individual Assistance Program for residents that have applied for FEMA assistance. The team can also assist with first time registrations for residents suffered damage to their homes and property during Hurricane Irma. The Individual Assistance Program can provide financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet these needs through other means. Continue reading
MAN ROBS DRUGSTORE, CAUGHT QUICKLY AFTER
MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017) – On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Timothy Aaron Hughes (DOB: 08/10/1984) for committing a robbery at the Sunshine Drugs store located at 3450 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala. Hughes implied to the employee that he was carrying a weapon and demanded pills during the robbery.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, MCSO deputies responded to the incident location in reference to a robbery that had just occurred. An employee of the store told deputies that the robber, later identified as Hughes, approached him and said, “I don’t want any trouble. I just need opioids.” The victim stated that the suspect had his right hand in his pocket and looked down at his hand and then looked back at him, making the victim believe that Hughes was armed. The victim complied with the demands and gave Hughes a bottle of hydrocodone pills. Hughes then fled the scene. Continue reading
One of the things I enjoy most about my job is getting to speak to different groups. Big groups or small, business people or social groups, it really does not matter. I love talking about our community and the role of the CEP. Regardless of the size of the group, the nature of the questions is often the same – “What is the new building going up . . .” and “When will get a . . .” Usually, I know the answer or at least can proffer an educated guess. In this issue, I would like to highlight some of the most frequently asked new building questions.
What are those building going up near FedEx?
If you have not taken a moment and driven down NW 35th Ave into the Ocala-Marion County Commerce Park, I would encourage you to do so. Just past the new FedEx Ground Hub one can see two large buildings under construction. The building to the east is the new AutoZone Distribution Center. This facility is covers more than 440,000 sq. ft. and will serve AutoZone stores in Florida and Puerto Rico. The facility to the north or just past FedEx is the new Chewy.com Fulfillment Center. This building will encompass 620,000 sq. ft. Combined both facilities represent nearly 1.1 MILLION sq. ft. of new space. Eventually these three companies will employ approximately 1,500 workers. Continue reading
Region’s labor force grows, jobless rate drops to 5.1%
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2017) – The region’s labor force grew both over the month in August and over the year due to the one-two punch of more jobs and fewer people looking for work.
The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 5.1 percent last month, down over July by 0.3 percentage point and 1.2 percent less than the rate a year ago of 6.3 percent.
The labor force was 200,114, up 336 over the month and 2,028 more than in August 2016. There were 10,223 unemployed residents in the region, down 403 since July and 2,196 fewer than a year ago. There are 189,981 residents with jobs in the region, an increase of 739 over the month and 4,224 more than a year ago. Continue reading
by Sebrina Hensley
DUNNELLON YOU ARE TRULY AMAZING!!
I asked for 100 desserts and you DELIVERED 170+ in 24 hours!! WOW!!! Colby Lynn Smith and I were there until after 9:30 (Sept 17) so we were able to see most of the lineman and crew! They were soooo overwhelmed. Many said they had worked these for 15-20-30 years and they had never received a gift like this!! They were so grateful and appreciative! They were taking pictures and sending home and of course Facebook!! They said they have received snacks or drinks on the road but had NEVER come back to homemade desserts thanking them!!!
We also got a first class tour of the entire facility and honorary vests!! This was an amazing experience that I will never forget!! So many made a point to specifically thank Colby and I. And I promised to relay it back to you!!! Continue reading
The hurricane that hit Texas was devastating. The section of the state could not with stand the amount of water dumped on it. Thousands of people were in trouble, thousands of people responded. Private citizens brought out their boat tall trucks, anything that could with stand the flood waters and started rescuing people. They say the fastest response during a disaster comes from your neighbors. People came together helping, there was no racial divide just pure good deeds, lifesaving deeds. No one asking for thank you. They picked up the elderly and the young and carried them to safety. Got the dried out, made sure they were alright and went back for more.
The Federal Government sent response teams. The state had response teams, but they were just overwhelmed. With the private sector and the response teams they did it together, how refreshing to see that people can come together and work together for a common cause. Continue reading
Hurricane Irma has had an unprecedented impact on our state. She has tested our emergency systems, our state leadership, our utility companies, and our commitment to our communities. The preparation engulfed the news cycle for weeks, and now the recovery will do the same. This storm has revealed character within our local and state officials and reminded many Floridians why it is so important to listen to their direction. She tested our ability to prepare and obstructed power supply and fuel supplies in a way that many had forgotten a hurricane could. She caused the cancellation of a committee week of the Florida Legislature and of school in many areas. And yet she also forced us together in amazing ways; reminding us of all those things that matter most like life, health, safety, home, family, community, service, and liberty to go meet challenges with one another. As we begin to recover in our own communities and as a state, we must remember to continue to engage in our community and help those around us that are in need. Continue reading
by A.J.(Tony) Powell
First Amendment – Religion and Expression. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
But attacks on religious freedom have more than doubled in the last few years. Last year there were thousands of hostile attacks in the USA.
These days we are not safe even in public places, schools, churches or even the military.
Not all hostility is physical. People have been fired, refused employment, or fined for speaking out about their beliefs.
Even State Legislatures have been sued for starting their day with a prayer. A high school coach was fired for praying after a football game. He lost his lawsuit trying to get his job back. Continue reading
