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
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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
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced he is deploying additional Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and resources to Houston in response to additional requests from Texas for continued emergency assistance following Hurricane Harvey. These officers and resources will be assisting with ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts. Governor Scott spoke with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and reached out to FWC Major Andy Krause, who will be leading the response, this morning. Continue reading
Grand Opening and open house of the Villages Hospital Joint Institute. Dr. Williams is cutting the ribbon. Senator Daniel Webster looking on, while the Lady Lake Chamber members and visitors enjoyed.
The Joint Institute at the Villages Regional Hospital executive team attended the event. Those attending received an exclusive first look at the technologically advanced joint institute.
There was plenty of networking & heavy hor d’ouevres!
Marion County, Florida (August 23, 2017)- On Monday, August 21, 2017, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes detectives arrested and charged Wayne Frazier (DOB: 01/30/1992) for an Armed Home Invasion Robbery he committed on Thursday, May 18, 2017. In the early morning hours, Frazier approached the home, located in the Stonecrest subdivision, and attempted to open the door of the house. The homeowner saw this and opened the door to find Frazier standing there with a bandana covering his face, holding a handgun in one hand and a taser in the other. Frazier robbed the victim of the money in his wallet and demanded the keys to the victim’s vehicle. The homeowner then shut and locked the door on Frazier and Frazier told the victim, “Now I’m gonna have to shoot you, now I’m gonna have to kill you.” Frazier shot one round through the door, missing the victim. The victim’s wife called 911 and Frazier fled the location. Continue reading
