Sydney Smoot, 9, a fourth-grader at Brooksville Elementary, shared her concerns on FSA testing in schools with members of the Hernando County School Board at their regular meeting on March 17, 2015.
The video is worth a 1000 words.
Boil water advisory for several areas in Marion County
[Last updated on March 23, 2015, at 10:50 a.m.]
At 8:04 p.m., Marion County Utilities issued a precautionary boil water notice for customers in the communities of Majestic Oaks, Bent Tree, Jasmine Park, Harvest Meadows, Boyd and Pidgeon Park.
Marion County Utilities advised that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute. As an alternative, residents may opt to use bottled water. Residents in these areas are being notified by door hanger.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. Utilities will test the water and notify customers by door hanger and/or phone call when the precautionary boil water notice is lifted. Customers with questions should call Utilities’ customer service line at 352-307-6000.
An equipment malfunction that might have caused unsanitary water sources to seep into the water supply is what prompted the boil water notice.
UPDATE:
According to Marion County Utilities, the boil water notice was lifted at approximately 9 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2015.
Fatal accident involving a semi and SUV on SR 200
Ocala, Florida — The Florida Highway Patrol said an Inverness man, identified as Ricky A. Suggs, 58, was killed after his SUV collided head-on with a semi Friday morning.
The accident happened on State Road 200, near the entrance of the Spruce Creek Preserve community.
According to troopers on the scene, a 2003 Lexus SUV driven by Suggs was headed east (toward Ocala) when it veered into the path of a semi hauling a flat-bed trailer that was loaded with roofing materials. The semi, driven by Donny Wayne Bryant, 52, of was traveling west toward Citrus County.
Troopers said the driver of the semi clearly tried to brake in an effort to avoid the accident, but could not.
The SUV and the semi hit front-left to front-left, and the semi jack-knifed. The semi came to rest in a grassy ditch on the north side of the road. The SUV came to rest on the south side of the road.
According to troopers, Suggs was ejected from his SUV, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bryant was not injured.
AAG Environmental was called to clean-up the nearly 70 gallons of diesel fuel that was leaking from the semi.
A small fire presented itself and had to be extinguished as the tow truck driver attempted to pull the semi from the ditch. Additionally, during one of the attempts to move the semi a chain snapped and “flew back” in the direction of the tow truck driver. It was captured on video.
Troopers said blood was drawn because it is standard with this type of accident, however, they do not suspect alcohol was involved.
At 1:00 p.m., all lanes were still closed as crews attempted to remove the semi.
9-year-old died in Hog Valley fire
Hog Valley, Florida – Marion County Fire Rescue said when they arrived at a home located at 14675 NE 206th Lane, Hog Valley, it was fully engulfed in flames.
Hog Valley is a small community located in the Ocala National Forest.
According to reports, the boy’s father, James Atkinson Sr., was able to get his wife, Renee Atkinson, their son Skylar Atkinson, 2, and roommate Angelica Nowak out of the home.
Tragically, Atkinson Sr. was unable to save their other son, James Atkinson Jr., a 9-year-old second-grader who attended Fort McCoy School. Atkinson Jr. died in the fire.
Officials said that Nowak was in her room, smelled smoke, and went to the parents’ bedroom to wake them. The 2-year-old was in the room as well.
Atkinson Sr. attempted to get everyone out of the house, but Atkinson Jr. was at the other end of the home and the fire was in the middle. When Atkinson Sr. could not get to his son from inside the home due to the intensity of the heat, he ran outside to the boy’s window and knocked it out. However, all of his efforts were unsuccessful.
There have reports that the boy’s window was plexiglass that had been installed by the landlord of the home.
Atkinson Sr. suffered burns on his feet and multiple cuts on his hands from trying to knock out the window to save his son.
Fire crews said propane tanks that were stored in a nearby shed exploded during the fire, which hindered the father’s efforts.
The State Fire Marshal said the cause of the fire is unknown and its still under investigation.
Friends of the family told Ocala Post [they] had just moved to the area from Port Orange.
Ocala Post did not attempt to contact the family during this tragic time.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Florida police officer arrested for sexual abuse on a 2-year-old girl
Lakeland, Florida — Around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, the FBI received a message on a social networking site from 32-year-old Joshua Smith of Lakeland, in reference to sex acts Smith was committing on a 2-year-old female child.
The message to the undercover agent read, “No limit perv dad here. Looking for someone likeminded to talk with. HMU (hit me up) if interested.” [sic]
Smith told the agent that he performed oral sex on the child and that he forced the child to perform oral sex on him. He also told the agent that it started when the child was just over 1-year-old.
The Florida police officer gave horrifying details of sexual abuse that he had committed on the girl that are too graphic for publication. Smith also sent graphic images to the undercover agent.
According to reports, Smith told agents that his wife knew nothing about the abuse.
By 6:00 p.m. the same day, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies, working with the FBI, tracked Smith to his home in Lakeland.
Smith stated that he had been home alone with the child all day and admitted to being involved in social media activity. Smith then invoked his right to an attorney.
The child was identified by the photos that Smith had sent.
Smith was placed under arrest and charged with one count Direct/Promote Sexual Performance of a Child (F-2).
Smith is currently being held in the South County Jail in Frostproof, Florida in lieu of $150,000 bond.
“He sent these images to prove he had access to a live child,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “The communication is so horrific, so graphic, so outrageous, that a normal person would never be able to comprehend what was said.”
“When our detectives and FBI agents went into the residence, we found the child wearing the exact same clothing that was in the photos,” Judd said.
Smith has been employed as an Oakland Police Officer, which is a small community outside of Orlando, for the past 9 years. Smith was previously investigated for falsifying time cards and falsely reporting his whereabouts while on patrol.
Records show he was performing below the normal standards as a police officer should.
Further charges are pending a forensic analysis of Smith’s computer devices and cell phone seized from Smith’s residence.
The Oakland Police Department told Ocala Post that Smith has been placed on administrative leave.
Woman attacked; baby cut from stomach
Police were called to the 1600 block of Green Place, Longmont, Wednesday, in response to a stabbing.
Longmont Police spokesman Jeff Satur said when police arrived, they discovered that a 26-year-old pregnant female had been beaten and stabbed. Police said they also discovered that the victim’s belly had been cut open, and her baby removed.
The victim was transported to the Longmont United Hospital, where she is recovering from surgery.
According to police, suspect Dynel Catrese Lane, 34, was at the hospital at the same time as the victim. Lane arrived at the hospital with a dead baby and claimed she had a miscarriage. Investigators said they were able to “connect the dots” and arrested the woman.
Lane’s husband drove her to the hospital, however, he has not been charged with a crime at this time.
Lane was booked into the Boulder County Jail and charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder, First-Degree Assault, and Child Abuse Resulting in Death.
“The issues involving an unborn child are complicated under Colorado law,” Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said. “In most circumstances, if a child was not actually born alive, then homicide charges are not possible.”
Lane, who used to be a nurse’s aide, had also signed up for multiple baby registries and has two children of her own.
The victim was 7-months pregnant.
The investigation is ongoing.
Home of sick elderly woman burglarized in Fort McCoy
Fort McCoy, Florida — A home in Fort McCoy was burglarized while the 72-year-old homeowner was in the hospital.
Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Timothy Marton, responded to 22,000 block of Northeast 107th Avenue, Fort McCoy, after the victim’s daughter in law found that [her] house had been burglarized.
The woman stated that the victim has been in the hospital, so she and her husband check on the house every day. She said when they arrived on Wednesday, all of the lights in the house were on and the back door was open.
According to reports, the thief stole a DVD player, a Craftsman toolbox, various tools, and all of the woman’s medications.
The deputy reported that the back door had been pried open.
If anyone has information, please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Man punched woman and small child in face
According to reports, a deputy was conducting a security check at 5201 South Pine Avenue when a female victim ran into a store and asked the clerk to call 911.
When the deputy made contact with the victim, she stated that she and Hercilio Caraballo, 41, had been in a verbal altercation while in a vehicle when he punched her in the jaw. She told the deputy that Caraballo then reached into the backseat and grabbed a juvenile and a car seat, at which time Caraballo punched the child in the face.
A second juvenile, who Caraballo also hit, corroborated the victim’s statements.
According to reports, when the deputy made contact with Caraballo he was heavily intoxicated and refused to cooperate.
He was arrested and charged with Felony Child Abuse and Battery-Second Offense, which is also a felony.
Caraballo has been arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery multiple times.
He is currently being held without bond.
Recall: Kraft Mac and Cheese
Kraft Foods Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 242,000 cases of select code dates and manufacturing codes of the Original flavor of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner due to the possibility that some boxes may contain small pieces of metal.
The recalled product is limited to the 7.25-oz. size of the Original flavor of boxed dinner with the “Best When Used By” dates of September 18, 2015, through October 11, 2015, with the code “C2” directly below the date on each individual box. The “C2” refers to a specific production line on which the affected product was made.
Some of these products have also been packed in multi-pack units that have a range of different code dates and manufacturing codes on the external packaging (box or shrink-wrap), depending on the package configuration (see table below).
Recalled product was shipped to customers in the U.S. and several other countries, excluding Canada. The affected dates of this product were sold in only these four configurations:
7.25 oz. box, Original flavor
3-pack box of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor
4-pack shrink-wrap of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor
5-pack shrink-wrap of those 7.25 oz. boxes, Original flavor
No other sizes, varieties, or pasta shapes and no other packaging configurations are included in this recall. And no products with manufacturing codes other than “C2” below the code date on the individual box are included in this recall.
Kraft has received eight consumer contacts about this product from the impacted line within this range of code dates and no injuries have been reported. We deeply regret this situation and apologize to any consumers we have disappointed.
The recalled product was shipped by Kraft to customers nationwide in the U.S. The product was also distributed to Puerto Rico and some Caribbean and South American countries — but not to Canada.
Consumers who purchased this product should not eat it. They should return it to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund. Consumers also can contact Kraft Foods Consumer Relations at 1-800-816-9432 between 9 am and 6 pm (Eastern) for a full refund.
DEA warning about the Schedule II narcotic fentanyl
On Wednesday, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a nationwide alert about the dangers of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues/compounds. Fentanyl is commonly laced in heroin, causing significant problems across the country, particularly as heroin abuse has increased. This alert was issued through the multi-agency El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) to all U.S. law enforcement.
“Drug incidents and overdoses related to fentanyl are occurring at an alarming rate throughout the United States and represent a significant threat to public health and safety,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “Often laced in heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues produced in illicit clandestine labs are up to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30-50 times more powerful than heroin. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous to law enforcement and anyone else who may come into contact with it. The DEA will continue to address this threat by directly attacking the drug trafficking networks producing and importing these deadly drugs. We have lost too many Americans to drug overdoses and we strongly encourage parents, caregivers, teachers, local law enforcement and mentors to firmly and passionately educate others about the dangers of drug abuse, and to seek immediate help and treatment for those addicted to drugs.”
In the last two years, the DEA has seen a significant resurgence in fentanyl-related seizures. According to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), state and local labs reported 3,344 fentanyl submissions in 2014, up from 942 in 2013. In addition, the DEA has identified 15 other fentanyl-related compounds.
Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic used as an analgesic and anesthetic. It is the most potent opioid available for use in medical treatment – 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl is potentially lethal, even at very low levels. Ingestion of small doses as small as 0.25 mg can be fatal. Its euphoric effects are indistinguishable from morphine or heroin.
The DEA has also issued warnings to law enforcement as fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin and accidental inhalation of airborne powder can also occur. The DEA is concerned about law enforcement coming in contact with fentanyl on the streets during the course of enforcement, such as a buy-walk, or buy-bust operation.
Fentanyl cases in 2014 have been significant, particularly in the northeast and in California, including one 12 kilogram seizure. The fentanyl from these seizures originated from Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
Globally, fentanyl abuse has increased the past two years in Russia, Ukraine, Sweden and Denmark. Mexican authorities have seizure fentanyl labs there, and intelligence has indicated that the precursor chemicals came from companies in Mexico, Germany, Japan, and China.
Historically, this is not the first time fentanyl has posed such a threat to public health and safety. Between 2005 and 2007, over 1,000 U.S. deaths were attributed to fentanyl – many of which occurred in Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia. The source of that fentanyl was traced to a single lab in Mexico. When that lab was identified and dismantled, the surge ended.
The current outbreak involves not just fentanyl, but also fentanyl analogues. The current outbreak is wider geographically and involves a wide array of individuals including new and experiences abusers.
Some recent examples of the fentanyl surge across the United States:
– New Hampshire State Laboratory recently reported four fentanyl overdose deaths within a two-month period.
– New Jersey saw a huge spike in fentanyl deaths in 2014, reporting as many as 80 in the first six months of the fiscal year.
– Rhode Island and Pennsylvania have also seen huge increases since 2013. In a 15-month period, about 200 deaths were reported in Pennsylvania related to fentanyl.
– In the St. Louis area, based on information provided by medical examiners over a 10-year period, fentanyl was the only drug attributed as a primary death factor in 44 percent of overdose cases.
– In June 2014, DEA New York dismantled a heroin and fentanyl network and arrested the two heads of the organization. These individuals were linked to at least three overdose deaths from heroin and fentanyl they sold.
Woman and teen attacked juvenile female on Baseline Road
Ocala, Florida — A grown woman and juvenile female have been arrested after allegedly beating a 17-year-old female as she was walking along Baseline Road.
According to Marion County sheriff’s Deputy Elijha Serrano-Prusinski, the 17-year-old was walking home from the tanning salon located at 3290 Southeast 58th Avenue, Ocala, when a black 4-door car stopped on the side of the road.
The victim told the deputy that two females, later identified as, Charlene A. Turner, 43, and a 15-year-old girl, exited the vehicle and “jumped” her.
According to reports, the 15-year-old began punching the victim in the face while on the side of the road. The victim said she tried to run, but the juvenile caught up with her and continued to strike her.
The victim told the deputy that she and the suspect then fell to the ground, at which time Turner got on top of the victim while she was one her back and began punching her in the face.
The victim said she was unable to move.
The victim stated that Turner held [her] hair with her left hand while striking the victim in the head with her right hand. The victim was not sure how many times she had been struck.
According to reports, while the victim was on the ground the 15-year-old also struck the victim multiple times.
Witnesses told the deputy that the victim was struggling and it appeared that she was trying to get up, but Turner was on top of the victim.
Turner was located at her residence in the 90 block of Redwood Drive. She denied being involved in an altercation with the victim.
The 15-year-old juvenile refused to answer any questions.
Turner was arrested and charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Felony Child Abuse. She was released on $3,000 bond. She has a previous arrest for DUI.
The juvenile was arrested and charged with Battery.
The victim sustained multiple bruises to her legs, arms, and swelling to both eyes.
It is unknown why the two jumped the victim.
Eleventh Hour for Animals files complaint against UF
Ocala, Florida — “On Monday, Eleventh Hour For Animals filed a complaint with the USDA demanding a mandatory federal investigation into the secret and potentially illegal “research” conducted by the University of Florida on wild monkeys along the Silver River in Marion County, Florida,” Eleventh Hour’s Senior Lab Investigator, Karen Kline wrote in an e-mail.
Exclusive images captured by Freelance Photographer Graham McGeorge and published by Ocala Post, depict a wild Macaque with a tracking collar device attached tightly around its neck.
McGeorge said, “When I spotted the Macaque, she was distressed and had distanced herself from the troop, she also had deep wounds and cuts on her neck with blood on its chest.”
UF Assistant Vice President , Janine Sikes, told Ocala Post that the tracking collar was removed via electronic signal and that “other than the abrasion caused by the collar, the macaque appeared in good health. The monkey was observed with her group, feeding, grooming, and behaving normally.” However, in an e-mail to Kline, the university wrote: “Researchers have attempted to verify the monkey’s well-being, but have not been able to locate the monkey since the collar fell off.”
In the complaint, Kline states, “Rhesus Macaques have lived along the Silver River for nearly 100 years. Yet, communications with the Department of Environmental Protection demonstrate that UF has taken the position that, since these primates were trapped and brought to this county almost a century ago as an “invasive species” they are entitled to no protection. Eleventh Hour maintains that since the disturbed colony of Macaques was, in fact, born at Silver River, the latest of many generations must be afforded the same protection as indigenous species. In the State of Florida, experiments on wild animals are illegal. Therefore UF’s “research at Silver River is illegal.”
Kline said the university has been less than forthcoming about the exact nature of their interest in the Silver River Macaques. Therefore, Eleventh Hour has filed two open records requests to ascertain the details of the experiments as well as the source of funding.
Additionally, the group filed a request with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to secure all licenses that UF may have purchased over the last 10 years.
Kline said, “At the very least, the University of Florida had admitted to and supplied Eleventh Hour with proof of their negligence.”
Where’s the beef?
[Last updated on March 17, 2015, at 2:46 p.m.]
Ocala, Florida — Cattle rancher Rufus Lomsby reported that someone made forcible entry to his cow pasture, located at 6000 Southwest Highway 200, Ocala, and stole one of his cows.
Lomsby told Deputy Matthew Schultheis that the gate to his pasture had been removed from its hinges.
Once the suspect(s) gained entry to the property, a black Angus female cow was stolen, which was approximately $700 worth of beef.
Federico Garcia, a witness from a nearby business, told Deputy Matthew Schultheis that he saw a skinny male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing a red shirt walking around the property.
The unknown man was driving a light color, older model SUV.
If anyone has information, please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
New meaning to high school after hash brownies distributed
Port Orange, Florida — Just after 8 a.m. Monday, a Volusia County sheriff’s school resource deputy responded to a report of a student who was sick and possibly under the influence of a narcotic at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange.
During the investigation, sheriff’s investigators learned a student had brought a batch of brownies believed to have been laced with hash oil, and sold several of them to other students.
The student accused of selling the hash-laced brownies was 17-year-old Daniel Miller.
According to reports, the Sheriff’s Office charged him with four counts of Sale and Delivery of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and seven counts of Culpable Negligence.
Miller told deputies that he also sold laced brownies to other students last week, and several more on Monday.
The students who purchased the brownies ate some of them and also shared some with other students.
Investigators said they have identified at least 10 students who are believed to have eaten the brownies.
One student, who became ill on Friday, was transported to the hospital after being found unresponsive in a school bathroom.
On Monday, several other students became ill and were either taken to the hospital or brought home by a parent or guardian.
One of the students was so impaired on Monday that he could barely speak.
According to reports, on Monday, Miller sold seven of the brownies at school for $5 each. He claimed he told the students who purchased the brownies that they were “very potent” and they should not be eaten all at once.
Deputies retrieved an additional 11 brownies that Miller had tossed into a school trash can while running away from a campus advisor after school officials learned he was the person that had sold the brownies.
After the criminal charges were filed against Miller, he was given a court date and released to his parents at the direction of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
The brownies tested positive for the presence of THC.
9-year-old girl shot in head with BB gun
Ocala, Florida — On March 15, 2015, Deputies Nickolas Frost and Gregory Bicksler responded to the 6000 block of Southeast 144 Place in Belleview Hills Estates, in reference to a 9-year-old girl being shot twice with a BB gun.
According to reports, the girl was visiting with her friend and was outside picking up her bicycle — with her back to the road — when all of a sudden she felt a sharp, stinging pain on her upper right leg. She told the deputies that is when she turned around and then felt a second sharp stinging pain, but this time on the right side of her head above her temple. The girl said it was at that time she started crying.
The second shot caused the girl to start bleeding. EMS responded to the scene and treated the juvenile.
According to reports, Deputy Bicksler canvassed the neighborhood for suspects. The deputy reported that there is an open field across from the incident location, and that there was only one house in that area.
When the deputy knocked on the door, a juvenile answered and stated that his parents were not home. The boy admitted to owning BB guns and Airsoft rifles, but did not admit to shooting the little girl.
Deputies told the victim’s mother that there was a strong possibility the juvenile had intentionally shot the girl, but the mother stated she did not want to pursue any criminal charges.
2 women lured men from Cowboys Saloon bar
Ocala, Florida — Two men were badly beaten after being lured from an Ocala bar by two women over the weekend.
According to deputies, Irvin Savier Chavez Sanchez, 30, and his friend, only identified as Burillio, were at the Cowboys Saloon on South Pine Avenue, Ocala, when they met two females.
The two females were flirting with the men and, at some point, asked the men to accompany them back to their house. The two men then got into the women’s car, at which time all four individuals left the bar together.
According to reports, when the two men arrived at the women’s alleged residence, two black males were waiting for them. The black males then began beating Sanchez and Burillio.
Sanchez told the deputy that he was able to break free, at which time he ran down the road and called for help.
Burillio was later found badly beaten. He told the deputy that the men stole his phone, wallet, and some cash.
According to reports, the men took the deputy to the 5600 block of Southeast 102 Place Road, where they had been “jumped.” When the deputy arrived, he saw beer and a pair of Nike shoes in the driveway.
All occupants of the residence denied knowing anything about the incident.
Unfortunately, the description of the women that was provided by the men was too vague and would match a lot of women from the bar. One was described as white with tattoos and the other “mixed.”
If anyone has information, please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
The investigation is ongoing.
Burglary at Bubba Raceway Park; thousands stolen
Ocala, Florida — Investigators are currently looking for unknown suspect(s) that entered an office building and stole a large floor safe.
According to reports, someone broke into an office building at Bubba Raceway Park, located at 9050 Northwest Gainesville Road, and stole a floor safe that contained approximately $13,570.
Someone had entered through the north window of the office building. Once inside, the individuals(s) rummaged through the office. There were two safes in the office, but only one had been removed.
During the investigation, a call came in about a safe that had been found on the property at Fessenden Elementary School. It was the safe that had been stolen from Bubba Raceway Park. The caretaker of the school made the discovery.
Bubba Raceway Park manager Preston McAllister told investigators that there were two compartments inside the safe — an upper and a lower compartment.
According to reports, a corner of the top portion of the safe had been cut out. McAllister said the proceeds from Friday night’s race were inside the top portion, which amounted to $5,570.
The bottom portion of the safe was not breached, but due to the combination dial being damaged, McAllister could not open the safe.
McAllister said since the safe had been rolled it was possible the money in the lower part of the safe had been moved to the upper compartment. The lower compartment contained $8,000. However, since the safe could not be opened, the theft of the $8,000 could not be verified.
While on the scene, investigators also found a dolly that belonged to Bubba Raceway Park, which had been used to move the safe from the office building. Investigators were able to follow impressions made by the wheels of the dolly, along with several footprints that were photographed.
Bubba Raceway Park employee Charles Atkins, who lives on the property, said the inner gate that was broken into had been locked Saturday night.
If anyone has information please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Marion Oaks drive-by shootings
[Last updated on March 13, 2015, at 7:18 p.m.]
Marion Oaks — According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a home in Marion Oaks has been targeted on two separate occasions in a drive-by shooting.
The incident report indicated that the drive-by occurred in the 2600 block of Southwest 148th lane.
On March 7, 2015, the homeowner told a deputy that he and his wife were inside their residence when they heard several gunshots.
The homeowner later discovered a bullet hole above the front door, two above the garage door and one on the right rear of his vehicle’s bumper.
On March 12, it happened again while he and his son were home. They both heard gunshots, followed by a vehicle speeding away.
According to reports, on this day, multiple bullets hit the front of the house.
While investigating, the deputy found multiple spent shell casings in the road. The caliber of the weapon has not been released.
No one was injured during the shooting.
If anyone has information about the drive-by shootings, please call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, Crime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
The investigation is ongoing.
Marion County Fire Rescue shuts down 2 squads
Ocala, Florida — What has to happen before the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) realizes that public safety should be a number one priority?
A better question is: how long will it take before residents decide they have had enough and stop voting for the same commissioners time after time?
While commissioners continue to collect large salaries, invest in worthless landfill deals and other worthless real estate endeavors — such as the CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) station, located at 3230 SE Maricamp Road — Marion County public safety suffers. As a result, residents are put at risk.
Marion County Fire Rescue announced that they have temporarily shut down two squads — Squads 16 and 21 — due to staff shortages.
Ryan O’Reilly, Professional Firefighters of Marion County secretary, said he tried to keep the squads from shutting down.
He said there is cause for concern with the closure of the squads. Why? Well, Squad 16 was a HAZMAT unit that was equipped to deal with biological or chemical agents, and Squad 21 was an advanced life support unit. Both squads were equally important.
Officials said Squad 16 serviced the area between Ocala and Belleview, while Squad 21 serviced southwest Ocala and the area close to On Top of the World, where many elderly residents reside.
Squad 16 had been permanently staffed since last October, after the nationwide Ebola scare. It was staffed with Hazardous Materials Technicians and paramedics, and was capable of first response advanced life support, vehicle extrication, and any HAZMAT scenario including mitigating methamphetamine scenes, which, once cleared, allowed law enforcement to do a proper investigation leading to arrest.
Squad 21 was a dual purpose unit staffed with Technical Rescue Technicians and paramedics that had been in service for approximately three years. This squad acted as a first response advanced life support unit that provided emergency medical care to individuals with medical emergencies while awaiting an ambulance to arrive to take the patient to an emergency room. It was also capable of vehicle extrication, high angle rescues, and various other technical rescue emergencies that require a higher level of training. It has been browned out on occasion in the past when there were not enough Technical Rescue Technicians on duty during the day to staff the unit.
Unfortunately, Squad 21 will no longer be responding to emergency calls in the southwest Ocala or On Top of the World areas.
The temporary shut down all stems from lack of funds and low salaries for firefighters.
In December, Ocala Post reported that most firefighters are paid so little that they qualify for food stamps. Some residents might have seen the billboards that state this fact. Many firefighters are paid less per hour than the starting hourly wage of some cashiers.
A firefighter’s beginning salary is $8.98 per hour.
Firefighter/EMTs begin at $9.83 per hour.
A paramedic’s beginning salary is $10.98 per hour.
An EMT’s beginning salary is $8.98 per hour.
Firefighter/paramedics begin at $11.93 per hour.
Starting annual salaries for a firefighter/paramedic in The Villages is $42,653; Pasco County, $43,389; Gainesville, $44,188; and in the City of Ocala, $37,553. Meanwhile, Marion County firefighters must work as many overtime hours as possible to even make ends meet. Many of them hold second jobs and are forced to spend countless hours away from their wives and children. While firefighters say this is the career they have chosen because they love the job, they would also like to be able to provide for their families.
The decision was made to shut down the squads because Fire Rescue continues to lose employees. Currently, it is short approximately 55 positions, which include firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs.
O’Reilly said surrounding counties have higher paid salaries, therefore attracting new applicants. He said Fire Rescue has also had experienced personnel leave to work elsewhere.
“We are very concerned over this issue and how it will impact the citizens of this county,” O’Reilly said. “Station 21 has around 5,000 or more calls for service a year. And, with Squad 21 no longer being permanently in service, response times in the area will go up.”
O’Reilly said this will lead to delays in lifesaving treatment for the affected areas. It will also have an impact on surrounding areas as other units are forced to pick up the slack.
O’Reilly went on to say, “We are in a business where seconds count. Any delay is not good for the citizens who expect that when they call 911, paramedics and firefighters will be there to help.”
Currently, the firefighters union is bargaining with the county over these unit shutdowns.
“As union leaders, we are not only advocates for the firefighters, paramedics, and the EMTs we represent, but we see ourselves as community advocates,” O’Reilly said. “We have specific language in our contract to prevent cuts in service such as this. We take our jobs and our mission of saving lives and protecting property very seriously.”
The problem facing Marion County Fire Rescue is twofold. MCFR is losing experienced staff, including firefighter paramedics with 6 to 7 years of experience. And, the county is unable to attract new employees with the same level of training as fast as current employees are leaving.
“Not only are we unable to attract paramedics to apply here, but those applicants who do apply are fresh out of school with no on-the-job experience,” O’Reilly said. “The issue there is pay. The county’s salary study showed that we are $10,000 to $12,000 a year underpaid.”
“In Marion County, we cannot get enough applicants to cover the open positions, but other departments are having hundreds of applicants for a handful of positions,” O’Reilly said. “We are not competitive.”
O’Reilly said that one of his co-workers with over 10 years experience in a promoted position is currently testing for Gainesville Fire Rescue and will make more the first day on the job there than he currently does with MCFR.
O’Reilly said, “It’s a travesty what is happening here, and citizens are going to suffer because of it.”
More pressing though, is the deficit spending model MCFR currently operates under. Recently, County Commissioners were shown that if funding does not increase, sometime next year the department will be $3.3 million in the hole.
“That is what it costs to employ 82 fighter paramedics,” O’Reilly said. “If this does not change, the new discussion will not be about which units to shut down, but rather which stations to shut down.”
Last year, MCFR’s turnover rate was 13 percent. In the last four years, it has turned over 45 percent of its staff. On average, MCFR is typically 30 positions light and loses primarily firefighter paramedics who are replaced with single-certified firefighters and EMTs.
“A single-certified firefighter would need approximately two years or more to become a firefighter paramedic,” O’Reilly said. He reiterated, “Nearly all new hires have zero experience.”
On top of salary issues, emergency responders are forced to use deteriorating equipment, including vehicles. And despite protests, commissioners have not made a real effort to ensure MCFR is properly funded.
O’Reilly said the current shutdown is for squads, but stations could be shut down in as little as a year. He said the main goal is to keep that from happening. However, he fears that the events that have been unraveling — vehicle issues and lack of employees — are just the beginning.
Senior staff indicated that if this scenario comes to pass, Station 2 in Citra, Station 6 in southeast Marion County, and Station 33 in southeast Ocala would be the first stations to be browned out or shut down. A brownout is when a station is shut down for the day depending on staffing levels. Only 39 employees work at these stations.
O’Reilly said that unless commissioners begin to take this issue seriously, it is only going to get worse.
Ocala Post is currently investigating other issues affecting MCFR. Those details will be published when the investigation is complete.
It should also be known that emergency workers will not lose their jobs; personnel in Squads 16 and 21 will be placed in regular EMS and Fire Rescue squads.
Ocala Post reached out to the BCC, but an immediate response was not received.
Drunk woman nearly hit deputy head-on
Ocala Police Officer Luis Camacho responded to the 3800 block of South Pine Avenue, in reference to a single vehicle crash with a possible drunk driver, early Thursday.
When Officer Camacho arrived on the scene, Officer Ramjit, who was already at the scene, said he was working a crash in which a white Saturn drove into oncoming traffic and nearly slammed head-on with a Marion County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant’s patrol car. The deputy was identified as Sergeant Moore.
Sergeant Moore told Officers that he was able to evade the head-on collision. He said he immediately turned his vehicle around in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, but the Saturn had already crashed into a guard rail.
The driver of the Saturn was identified as Cori Taylor Hardman.
Hardman refused to speak with police. When asked if she would participate in a few field sobriety tests, she replied, “I am not going to perform, just handcuff me and go.”
She was arrested and transported to the Marion County jail where she blew a .224.
She was charged with DUI/Second Offense and Driving while License Suspended/Felony Habitual Offender.
She was released on $3,000 bond.