Ocala News
Ocala, Fla.—Marion County’s number of new COVID-19 cases and new positivity rate both reached record highs last week, according to the most recent state report, released Friday.
Marion County reported 5,536 new cases for the week of Jan 7 to Jan. 13. That amount increased the county’s cumulative total of COVID-19 cases to 68,316. The positivity rate for the past week climbed to 31.3%. That was up from 24.6% for the previous week.
Those numbers repreent new weekly peaks for cases and the positivity rate since the onset of the pandemic.
Overall, the daily positivity rate for all new COVID-19 cases throughout Florida was 29.3%.
The state’s new report indicates 990 people in Marion County received vaccines between Jan. 7 and Jan. 13. That was a decrease of 52 vaccines from the previous week. The ratio of Marion County residents aged 5 or older who have been vaccinated remained at 62% during the latest reporting period.
“The increase we have seen this week is an indicator of how transmissible the virus is within our community,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander. “We encourage residents to consider a COVID vaccine if they have not received one, or a booster if they are eligible for that. Vaccines continue to be the most effective way to prevent serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19 for people aged 5 or older.” Continue reading
Dear Fellow Taxpayer,
AFFT has embarked on a profound mission to restore FAIR taxation to this country. The success of this mission will have lasting effects on our children and our children’s children.
As the year comes to a close, we reflect on the many accomplishments AFFT has seen in 2021, namely:
- 27 Cosponsors and counting for H.R. 25, The FairTax Act
- A growing movement at the state level to abolish state income tax
- Leading the charge against the government’s extreme plans for IRS surveillance of your bank account.
We’ve fought hard and seen results in 2021. With your continued support, we will make even more progress in the New Year.
Thank you for your continued support and have a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Steve Hayes
Chairman, Americans For Fair Taxation
Ocala, Fla. — Fort McCoy area residents will soon have opportunities to learn more about diabetes at a location close to them.
The Department of Health in Marion County, in partnership with the Marion County Hospital District, is holding free weekly classes on diabetes education and prevention at the Fort McCoy Public Library starting Jan. 19.
The Diabetes Empowerment and Education Program, or DEEP, is a series of classes that helps participants who have diabetes or are considered pre-diabetic better understand their condition and self-care.
Classes will cover topics such as understanding how diabetes affects the human body and how to monitor it. DEEP also includes instruction on the importance of a healthy, balanced diet, meal planning, and physical activity. Further, the classes will teach participants how to identify and prevent diabetic complications.
The six-week class begins on Jan. 19 and will occur each Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Feb. 23 at the public library in Fort McCoy (14660 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy). Continue reading
The Letty Towles Dog Park is located at the Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex and is a guaranteed dog-gone good time! The park offers plenty of amenities for pups to enjoy and is divided in separate areas for large dogs and small dogs to play. The 4.5 acre park is fenced, giving dogs plenty of room to stretch their legs, chase a ball and make new friends.
Dog parents, please make sure to familiarize yourself with the dog park rules at https://www.ocalafl.org/government/city-departments-i-z/recreation-parks/parks/dog-park.
Location
2299 SE 32 Ave. , Ocala, FL 34470
Located at Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex
Hours
Open Fridays through Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays to allow the grass time to recover
It’s movie time! Join us for FREE movies throughout the year at different City of Ocala parks. Be sure to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. We will have concessions available for purchase like snacks, popcorn and soda. No registration is required to attend our movies, simply show up, get comfortable and enjoy the show!
Friday, Mar. 25 – “Dreamgirls” starts at 8 PM at the Tuscawilla Art Park
- Supremely entertaining adaptation of the Broadway hit about the ups and downs of a 1960s girl group. Jennifer Hudson won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role.
- Rated PG-13
Left Mike McGee who is a member of help Ocala Business Leaders helping present a Christmas check helping someone through Christmas. Tony Clayton center out going president of OBL and Right Patrick Ferguson receiving check, he and his wife Trish have ten children. WOW!
Ocala, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is now offering free influenza vaccines for people of all ages.
The shot for the 2021-22 flu season is available to all who are interested whether or not they have health insurance.
No appointment is necessary.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people may get a flu vaccine along with, or in addition to, a COVID-19 vaccine, which also is available for people age 5 and older at the Department of Health’s main office, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala.
The Department of Health encourages county residents to obtain a flu vaccine. Our community is about to enter prime time for flu season, which typically runs between mid-December and February. The vaccine is the best method to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu and its potentially serious effects. Continue reading
Jerry Abis Owner Operator of the FunGi’s features low pressure washing. In red is Bronson Mosley helping Jerry with some humor in his presentation at the Ocala Business Leaders. On right is Rachel Perez. Photos taken by Tammy Portrait Artist Inc.
Pictured Parrish Tanner Ocala Car Audio presenting his services at the OBL breakfast. Parish is the founder and has been in business since 2008. Photos taken by Tammy Portrait Artist Inc.
OCALA, Fla.—Because of a reduction in the demand for COVID-19 testing, Statlab Mobile, a COVID-19 mobile clinical testing service, will no longer offer free drive-through testing at the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park in Ocala.
Testing also ended at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala on Oct. 11.
CovidTestFL.Org, a COVID-19 mobile clinical testing service, continues to provide extended-hours testing opportunities in Marion County. Call CovidTestFL.Org at 866-826-8430 for details.
“We want to thank Statlab Mobile, the Florida Horse Park and the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion for partnering with us, and helping ensure Marion County residents had multiple opportunities for testing during the pandemic,” said Department of Health in Marion County Administrator Mark Lander.
“Such partnerships have been invaluable in our efforts to provide Marion County residents with rapid, responsive COVID-19 testing.” Continue reading
