The Active Shooter Training Lunch & Learn was hosted by the Lady Lake Library and presented by the Lady Lake Police Department. It was held at the Lady Lake Library September 27. The goal was to learn to recognize potential workplace violence indicators and know what to do and how to handle yourself before you’re in an active shooter situation. It was very informative. Thank you Lady Lake Chamber and Lady Lake Police Department.

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(OCALA, Fla.) Sept. 17, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue responded to reports of a vehicular accident with rollover, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 3:23 p.m.

Arriving at the corner of SW 10 Street. and Pine Avenue, firefighters encountered an upside down sports utility vehicle (SUV) with passengers in need of extrication, and a minivan nearby. A utility pole taken down during the collision lay on the ground.

Crews assessed the state of the patients, stabilized the SUV and began extrication. A total of four patients were identified and transported to the hospital. Two of the four patients were trauma alerted.

Ocala Police Department and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.

ARREST MADE IN SUMMERFIELD MURDER INVESTIGATION

MARION COUNTY, Florida (September 26, 2018) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives have arrested 36-year old Jake Napier (DOB: 06/28/1982) for the murder of Walter Russell Elliott which occurred in July of 2018. During their investigation, MCSO Major Crimes detectives discovered surveillance video that depicted Napier shooting and killing the victim.

On July 28, 2018, at approximately 1:00 p.m., MCSO deputies were called to 5495 Southeast 145 Street in reference to a man being shot and set on fire. Deputies responded and found victim Elliott deceased in a workshop located under a pole barn on the property. MCSO Major Crimes detectives responded and began their investigation. It was later determined that Elliott’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and that his body was set on fire after his death. During their investigation, detectives discovered surveillance cameras in the workshop which captured the murder on camera. The footage showed the victim sitting in a chair at the workshop with Napier and several other witnesses in the room. Continue reading →

FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL 34471.  Classes begin Wednesday, August 29th, and are held weekly.  All classes begin promptly at 6:00 pm, ending with conversation and refreshments at 7:15 pm. There are 3 levels of classes (beginner, intermediate and advanced) taught by loving & caring instructors.  If needed, there are fun & entertaining programs such as Awana for your children, and child care provisions are available, as well as programs for teens and adults.  Please contact the church office at (352) 629-5683 for more information.

(OCALA, Fla.) August 16, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue is proud to present the department’s second annual report to the community, showcasing the milestones, achievements, and progress made in the year 2017.

Molded by the dynamic nature of the fire service and its demands, Ocala Fire Rescue has continuously served this community since 1885. For more than 133 years the department has evolved to satisfy citizen’s needs. The year 2017 was no exception, in fact, it was noteworthy, marking the initiation of construction for Fire Station #7 (completed earlier this year), a rebuilding project, and improved Insurance Service Office (ISO) fire protection rating to Class 2, among other accomplishments. Continue reading →

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Boys and Girls Club / April Savarese

Writing Nicely Karin Nicely

Yandle’s Quality Building Material / Mr & Mrs Yandle

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Over the last few weeks, you have probably heard and read a lot from the Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) on the topic of workforce or Talent Development as we call it. When the CEP Board adopted our new 5-year strategic plan, Moving Forward-Phase II, in late 2016 it highlighted Talent Development as one of the two signature new project areas for the CEP. This new emphasis has really come into focus over the last year.  I want to discuss why this is such an important emphasis for the CEP and then explain what we are doing.

As communities across the country have been rebounding and growing post-Great Recession, one of the area’s that it became apparent had suffered was talent development. As companies, communities, and schools struggled to just remain viable, the importance of investing in workforce often went to the side. When this is coupled with the pending retirement of millions of Baby Boomers, a talent deficit becomes a clear reality. It is our belief that talent development is incredibly significant to the continued growth of our community. In fact, we believe the communities which figure out talent, will be the communities that win the next half century. Continue reading →

(OCALA, Fla.) July 17, 2018 – After months of seemingly endless practical and theoretical sessions, Ashley Andrews, Ocala Fire Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic, has become a certified Critical Care Paramedic (CCP).

Seeking a challenge and further knowledge of the field, Andrews, a 10-year department veteran, enrolled in the University of Florida’s Critical Care Paramedic program. “I have never been more academically challenged,” said Andrews of the immersive program. “Although [the certificate] was difficult to attain, it was certainly worth it.”

During the five-month program, topics ranging from biomechanics of ventilation and ventilator management to invasive blood pressure monitoring, and neonatal care, were covered through didactic and hands-on sessions. Despite requiring that program participants be experienced paramedics, the volume of material covered tests each student’s desire to obtain the CCP certification. Only those who learn the material as second nature successfully complete the program. Continue reading →