OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2017) – The City of Ocala will host Ocala Zumbathon Friday, Sept. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ocala Downtown Market located at 310 SE Third St. All proceeds from this event will benefit the United Way of Marion County.
Ocala Zumbathon will feature some of Ocala’s favorite Zumba instructors leading consecutive sessions of dance. Instructors include Traci Rivera (Zone Health and Fitness), Natalia Leon (Too Your Health Spa), Maribel Lozada (Sahara), and Kathleen Hernandez (Zumba by Kathleen). The event will also include a variety of local vendors for participants to visit.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or in person at the Ocala Growth Management Office located at 201 SE Third St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event for $10. Continue reading
PROTECTING FLORIDIANS
Hurricane Irma ripped through our state this week, leaving a path of destruction that will take months to repair. Millions are without electricity and fuel. Thousands more suffered home damage or flooding. As Floridians begin to pick up the pieces, they should be wary of common scams that arise after natural disasters—including: debris-removal, tree-service, home-repair, disaster-relief and water-treatment scams.
To guard against scams, research a company or contractor, ask for references and get multiple quotes before signing a contract. Beware of any unsolicited offers or contractors claiming they can perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job. Never pay the full amount up front and do not make final payment until completely satisfied with the work performed.
Additionally, the state of emergency remains in effect statewide and that means Florida’s price gouging law still applies to anyone selling essential commodities or services. Anyone who suspects price gouging or any scam should call my office at (866) 9NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2017) – Due to effects from Hurricane Irma, the following City of Ocala parks and facilities will be closed until further notice:
• Tuscawilla Park, 300-899 NE Sanchez Ave.
• Scott Springs Park, 2825 SW 24th Ave.
• Heritage Nature Conservancy, 1900 block of NE Third St.
• Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St.
• Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave.
Media and the public will be notified when these are facilities are re-opened to the public.
The following City of Ocala parks and facilities are currently open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, these facilities will be open normal operating hours.
• Jervey Gantt Park, 2200 SE 36th Ave.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Complex, 1510 NE 4th St.
• City neighborhood parks Continue reading
MARATHON, Fla. – Today, (September 13, 2017) Governor Rick Scott joined Florida National Guard members, FWC officers, and Florida Highway Patrol officers to tour impacts of Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys. Over the past two days, the Governor also toured damage caused by Hurricane Irma in Clay and Lee Counties.
Marion County, Florida (September 6, 2017) – Marion County Public Schools and the Marion County Division of Emergency Management have announced school closings and shelter openings in preparation for Hurricane Irma. All Marion County Public Schools will be closed Friday and Monday, September 8 and 11, 2017. Emergency Management will be opening multiple shelters hosted by our local public schools beginning at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8.
General Population Shelters:
- North Marion Middle School (2085 W Highway 329, Citra)
- Fort McCoy School (16160 NE Highway 315, Fort McCoy)
- Lake Weir High School (10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala)
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 7, 2017) – Due to Hurricane Irma, the following City of Ocala locations will be closed Monday, Sept. 11. Normal hours of operation are expected to resume Tuesday, Sept. 12.
• City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.
• City of Ocala Customer Service Office, 301 SE 3rd Ave.
(Includes Utility Billing and Building Department)
• City of Ocala Municipal Services Complex
• Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave.
• All City recreation centers and senior centers
• All City parks
Continue reading
Before Monday morning, Braden and Kimberlie Dando had never heard of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Today, they say they owe their lives to the FWC officers who have been deployed to the Houston area to help rescue flood victims.
“If they didn’t show up I don’t what we would have done because we did not have a way to get out. I just want to thank them for what they did,” Braden, 25, said during a telephone interview from his mother-in-law’s house in Highlands, Texas.
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The Dandos two boys–Paxton, 3, who is autistic, and Nixon, 15 months old–were also inside the apartment. Their parents concern grew as the flood waters began to cover Nixon’s crib.
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“We had to swim with our kids,” Kimberlie recalled. “We literally had to drag our 3-year-old, while he was screaming, out of the house.” Continue reading
More Than 400 Florida Volunteers Deployed to Texas and Louisiana
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are continuing to actively assist with disaster response efforts in the Houston area. FWC officers have rescued more than 500 Texans since arriving in the area after being deployed by Governor Scott in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance. Additionally, more than 400 Florida volunteers have been deployed to Texas and Louisiana as Volunteer Florida continues to coordinate the activities of 11 disaster relief organizations.
FWC Response Efforts:
- More than 500 Texans rescued by FWC officers since arriving in the area after being deployed by Governor Scott in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance.
- Nearly 125 FWC officers are supporting ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts.
- FWC resources deployed to Texas include more than 40 boats, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, and eight shallow draft vessels.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are continuing to actively assist with disaster response efforts in the Houston area. FWC officers have rescued more than 200 Texans since arriving in the area after being deployed by Governor Scott in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance. Nearly 125 FWC officers, more than 40 boats, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, and eight shallow draft vessels are currently in Texas to support ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts.
Marion County, Florida (August 27, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes
detectives have released additional information this morning in reference to the suspicious death investigations conducted on Saturday, August 26, 2017, in Weirsdale. At 9:38 a.m., Saturday morning, MCSO deputies received a call for service in reference to two unresponsive individuals in a car in the parking lot of the Dollar General Store located at 13842 SE Highway 42. When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered victims Stephanie Gonzalez (DOB: 03/23/1978) and Jeffery Durden (DOB: 05/07/1973) deceased in a maroon SUV parked towards the rear-side of the business. Continue reading
