TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following a request from Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell, Governor Rick Scott today signed Executive Order 17-264 to assist local law enforcement’s response to rallies planned on the University of Florida campus this Thursday. EO 17-264 activates Florida’s Mutual Aid Plan which allows the state and Sheriff Darnell to quickly coordinate resources from other state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies. See the Executive Order HERE.
Governor Scott remains in constant communication with state and local law enforcement and University leadership to ensure that every request to the state is quickly granted to keep the public safe. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced one reappointment and two appointments to the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.
William Snyder, 65, of Stuart, currently serves as the Sheriff of Martin County and received his bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. Sheriff Snyder is reappointed for a term beginning October 16, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2019.
A.J. “Tony” Smith, 58, of Apalachicola, currently serves as the Sheriff of Franklin County and received his bachelor’s degree from Barry University. Sheriff Smith succeeds retired Sheriff Ben Johnson and is appointed for a term beginning October 16, 2017, and ending on June 30, 2019. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office is participating in the first coordinated federal-state civil enforcement crackdown involving student loan debt relief scams. These scams unlawfully took a combined total of more than $95 million in upfront fees from students nationwide. The crackdown involves a total of 36 state or federal actions against student debt relief companies, with Attorney General Bondi’s Office filing two of these lawsuits, as well as a third action to compel compliance with an investigative subpoena. The Attorney General’s Office also reached a settlement with a student loan debt relief company in a fourth matter that ensures the company will no longer operate in Florida. Continue reading
This week, as part of a delegation of attorneys general from around our country, I met with Moroccan government officials in an effort to strengthen the working relationship between our countries and bolster efforts to combat human trafficking, cybercrimes and other transnational crimes. This outreach comes at an opportune moment as Morocco just last week implemented reforms that create an independent judiciary and public prosecution agency.
Morocco is a growing country with one of Africa’s largest seaports—located on the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea near Spain and Portugal. Morocco’s geography and growing economy make it a potential pass-through for human traffickers and other transnational criminals trying to gain access to North America. Continue reading
The City of Ocala and Feel Downtown LIVE will host the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival Saturday, Nov. 11 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park located at 500 NE Sanchez Ave.
Post Date:10/13/2017 1:59 PM
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2017) – The City of Ocala and Feel Downtown LIVE will host the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival Saturday, Nov. 11 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park located at 500 NE Sanchez Ave.
This year’s Harvest Fest event will feature two stages of live blues, rock and country music with Aaron Tippin and Georgia Satellites headlining the evening’s festivities. Other national, regional and local artists scheduled to perform include Hollis Brown, Lawrence, Savants of Soul, Jamie Davis, Bailey Callahan, Bob Green and the Whiskey Conspiracy, and the Doug Adams Band. Continue reading
Monday, Oct. 16, the City will begin the second phase of decommissioning, which consists of cleaning out the digesters at WRF #1 and is expected to be completed in early December 2017.
Post Date:10/13/2017 10:30 AM
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2017) – The City of Ocala’s Water Reclamation Facility #1 (WRF #1), located at 1220 NW Fourth Ave., has been offline since April 2016. The City began the first phase of the decommission process in June 2017. Monday, Oct. 16, the City will begin the second phase of decommissioning, which consists of cleaning out the digesters at WRF #1 and is expected to be completed in early December 2017.
During this time, there is a potential of a strong, organic odor, which may affect the immediate area surrounding the facility. There are no health concerns regarding this potential odor.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Water Resources Department at 352-351-6772.
MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)
Major Crimes detectives received information from the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, positively identifying human skeletal remains that were discovered in the Florida Highlands in August 2016. The remains belong to Nicholas Shawn Tillis (DOB: 03/27/1985), who was reported missing to the MCSO by his family in October 2016. Tillis was known to check in with his family monthly, and they had not heard from him in three months. However, deputies could not find anything suspicious regarding his disappearance. Detectives notified his family of this new information Tuesday afternoon.
(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
