Ocala, Florida — Detectives are investigating another shooting in northwest Ocala. This is just one of many shootings that have occurred in Marion County since January.
The shooting took place on Wednesday night near Northwest 17th Avenue and Second Street. Authorities were notified at approximately 9 p.m.
Police said the victim, a male, age 49, was shot as he was loading a riding lawn mower onto a trailer.
Numerous shell casings were found at the scene.
After the victim was shot he went to a nearby home and the occupants called 911.
The man was transported to a local hospital and is listed in critical condition. His location has not been disclosed and his name has not been released.
No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing and witnesses are still being interviewed.
If you have any information about the shooting, you are urged to contact OPD at 352-369-7000 or you can submit an anonymous tip at Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867). Tips can also be submitted at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. You might be eligible for a reward. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Marion County — You have most likely seen the iconic orange truck along Southwest State Road 200, and this is good news for those who have missed Cody’s Original Roadhouse.
Cody’s closed its doors in Ocala as a result of COVID-19, but the restaurant is set to reopen west of Publix at Canopy Oak Center near On Top of the World…just west of Southwest 80th Avenue.
A spokesperson for Cody’s told Ocala Post that they are on track and plan to be open by December 2021.
Today is World Sea Turtle Day. It is also nesting season.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding beachgoers they can help protect nesting sea turtles by practicing some simple tips.
Each year, thousands of sea turtles nest on Florida’s beaches. Because Florida is so important to these animals, beachgoers can help keep the beaches clean and dark so sea turtles nest successfully.
“Everyone benefits from clean beaches and, since most of Florida’s sea turtles nest at night, it is important to keep our beaches dark because bright lights can disorient nesting turtles,” said FWC.
Stash the trash:
Obstacles on the beach can prevent sea turtles from nesting as they crawl from the water, across the sand, to lay their eggs. They can also prevent sea turtle hatchlings from reaching the water once they emerge from their nests. Beachgoers can help sea turtles by properly disposing of all trash, filling in holes in the sand, and putting away boats, beach toys, and furniture. Fishing lines can be deadly to sea turtles and other wildlife, so be sure to dispose of them properly.
Lights out:
Bright lighting can misdirect and disturb nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean and toward potential danger, therefore, FWC says beachgoers should avoid using flashlights or cellphones on the beach at night.
FWC said, “Anyone living along or visiting Florida beaches can do their part by turning out lights or closing curtains after dark to ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed as they come ashore and hatchlings will not become disoriented when they emerge from their nests. If lighting could still be visible from the beach, be sure it is long, low, and shielded.”
Dr. Robbin Trindell, who heads the FWC’s sea turtle management program, said, “As beachgoers, we can all do our part to help sea turtles survive.” He went on to say, “By keeping beaches dark and clearing the way at the end of the day, we can help ensure that these amazing animals keep returning to our beautiful state.”
Other ways to help sea turtles include reporting those that are sick, injured, entangled, or dead to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Marion County — Superintendent Dr. Diane Gullett has announced the following administrative leadership changes effective July 1. The changes have been approved by members of the Marion County School Board:
Dunnellon Middle School – Ken McAteer returns to the school level as principal after directing the district-level Secondary Education and Student Services departments. He replaces Delbert Smallridge, who is leaving after 31 years with the district.
Fort McCoy School – Jordan Surdam becomes principal after serving as interim principal since January 2021.
Oakcrest Elementary School – Chris Sandy returns as principal after coming out of retirement four years ago to serve at the district level and most recently as principal of Reddick-Collier Elementary School. She replaces Cathy Balius, mentioned further down in this release.
Reddick-Collier Elementary School – Melicia Cooper becomes a first-time principal after two years with the district.
South Ocala Elementary School – Diana Elysee becomes a first-time principal after four years with the district. She replaces Dr. Stephanie Callaway who is leaving after 22 years with the district.
Sunrise Elementary School – Cathy Balius will serve as principal here. She moves from Oakcrest Elementary and replaces Natalia Robledo, who moves to Saddlewood Elementary as assistant principal.
Ashley Kemp, former principal at Evergreen Elementary School, becomes the Transformation School Principal and will work directly with principals to support continuous improvement across the district.
At the district level, the following changes are being made:
The district’s Chief Academic Officer will be Margaret Talbert Irving from Orange County Public Schools.
Area Directors will now be known as Area Superintendents.
Ben Whitehouse, former area director, becomes director of Student Pathways and Assessment, handling Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, dual enrollment, and strategic planning.
Jonathan McGowan becomes director of Mental Health & Wellness and will oversee health, social work, psychologists, counselors, and others responsible for student and employee health.
Employee Relations moves under Human Resources led by Executive Director Jaycee Oliver.
Operations and Emergency Management belongs to Executive Director Barbara Dobbins, who previously oversaw Human Resources.
Grant Funding including federal Coronavirus relief dollars will now be supervised by Philip Leppert, who most recently served as executive director of Support Services.
Crystal River — The face of Crystal River is changing, and many residents do not feel it is for the better of the community.
With the destruction of so much land, many wildlife habitats have knowingly been destroyed by the City, Florida Department of Transportation, and road construction crews.
Most recently, the land at the corner of U.S 19 and Venable was cut down.
This area has had many sitings of the Southern fox squirrel, previously classified as Sherman’s fox squirrel, and as the land was being cut down, a fox squirrel was photographed fleeing the area.
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Southern Fox Squirrel photographed leaving the area being destroyed
Some residents reported the situation to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Ocala Post reached out to FWC about the fox squirrels, and in a statement, they wrote, “The Southern fox squirrel (the species known to occur in the Crystal River area) was removed from the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List in 2018, but is still protected in state rules. Deliberately taking, pursuing, hunting, molesting, capturing, or killing Southern fox squirrels is prohibited under the state rules that protect them. However, the Southern fox squirrel is not protected from incidental take that may occur when land is cleared.”
The southern fox squirrel typically has two breeding seasons each year. The winter breeding season is from October to February and the summer breeding season is from April to August. Most nests are made of Spanish moss, pine needles, twigs, and leaves, while a few nests are made within tree cavities. Females average one litter per year with an average of 2.3 offspring per litter. Young are weaned at 90 days and sexual maturity is reached at about nine months.
This means the land at the corner of U.S 19 and Venable was cleared during the breeding season.
FWC says, “The main threat to the southern fox squirrel population is the destruction of their habitats. Habitat loss has been significant as it is estimated that only 10-20% of original southern fox squirrel native habitat is still intact, most of it having been logged, converted to pasture, degraded by lack of fire, or used for agriculture, commercial and residential development.”
The fox squirrel mostly inhabits long-leaf pine trees, which is what was mostly cut down during the land clearing in Crystal River.
Ocala Post reached out to county leaders on the issue, however, emails were ignored.
Deputy Jonathan Seffern JrDeputy Jonathan Seffern Jr. (Booking photo)
Citrus County — A Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested after he sent explicit photos of a woman’s genitals to the woman and a federal agent.
The text messages also allegedly contained crude, inflammatory messages.
The deputy, identified as Jonathan Seffern Jr. had taken the photos of the woman while he was involved in a sexual relationship with her.
The two later separated and Seffern accused her of having an affair with a Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent.
Seffern, 33, was located and arrested on Friday, June 11, in Levy County on a Citrus County warrant.
He resigned from his post as a school resource officer with Homosassa Elementary right before he was arrested.
He has been charged with a first-degree misdemeanor of Sexual Cyber-harassment. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.
According to sources, Seffern is also the president of Citrus Cowboys Youth Football League.
Seffern had been employed with the CCSO since October 2007.
The investigation began back in February, and prior to Seffern’s resignation, he was allowed to work in his official capacity.
Belleview, Florida — Cartons of eggs spilled onto the ground Monday after a CSX train slammed into a semi tractor-trailer.
The semi was also hauling yogurt, milk, cheese, and various other dairy products.
The crash happened in the 6200 block of Southeast Baseline Road, Belleview.
The semi-driver, Eddie Rosa, told authorities that his GPS had rerouted him when he missed his turn. When he crossed over the railroad tracks, the plate on the bottom of his trailer became stuck on the tracks. He was unable to move the semi and jumped out of his truck, flashlight in hand, and ran toward the train.
Rosa said he was trying to warn the conductor.
Officials said the train applied its brakes, but it was too late and the train plowed into the side of the semi.
Rosa was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device.
The front of the train was badly damaged.
Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the scene shortly after 9 p.m.
Ocala, Florida — A woman was arrested and charged with felony battery after she struck her boyfriend in the head with a two-pound weight.
According to the arrest affidavit, Natalie Caban, 27, became involved in an argument with her boyfriend after he discovered that she had canceled the WIFI service.
During the argument, the boyfriend called Caban a c*nt, at which time Caban grabbed a two-pound weight and slammed her boyfriend in the head with it.
Officials said that during the 911 call, they were told that the victim’s wound was bleeding uncontrollably.
According to reports, when police arrived, the victim was covered in blood due to a significant gash in his head.
During questioning, Caban told police that her boyfriend had slapped her first. However, police said that there were not any marks on the victim’s face. She later admitted to lying.
Caban was arrested and charged with Felony Battery. Additionally, she was charged with Violation of Probation for Possession of Methamphetamine and Violation of Probation for Resisting an Officer in a previous arrest.
Caban is being held without bond. Her next court date is slated for July 6, 2021.
Entertainment — Originally scheduled for release on July 12, 2019, Top Gun was postponed to allow production to work out all the complex flight sequences and because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The much-anticipated movie is now scheduled for theatrical release on November 19, 2021.
History was made during the filming of Top Gun in which a new camera system was used to film the aviation scenes live.
Movie Bin has posted a second new trailer for the film and it includes bonus footage.
Synopsis:
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.”
Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
Tom Cruise learned how to fly the jets and, as always, perfomred his own stunts.
Business is booming and Legacy Housing Corporation is looking to hire immediately for supervisors.
If you are a manager — a leader — and you want a career with a growing and successful company, Legacy Housing has openings for supervisors with a path towards management.
Each supervisor leads a team of 10-30 tradesmen in areas such as Welding, Plumbing, Electrical, Roofing, Sheetrock, Trim, Exteriors, and Trucking.
The pay is $55,000 to $75,000 per year with a generous benefits package.
Benefits include:
Health insurance
Retirement pay
Vacation pay, and
Holiday pay
Construction experience is required.
Send resume to sarabeck@legacyhousingcorp.com or call (706) 623-7746.
[Last edited on June 4, 2021, at 1:03 p.m., to include uncut video.]
Tina Kindred
Ocala, Florida — On June 1, 2021, Ocala Police were dispatched to a local restaurant after reports that a female was topless and banging on tables and windows at the establishment.
Witnesses stated that the woman, later identified as Tina Kindred, also flipped over a few outside tables. She never made it inside the first business.
According to reports, Kindred also tried to get into a customer’s car.
Witnesses told police that the female was driving recklessly in the parking lot before exiting the parking lot and traveling East on Hwy 40.
Prior to arriving at the first restaurant, a call came in from the Outback Steakhouse, located at 4899 E Silver Springs Blvd, about a woman who was completely naked and trashing the business.
This caller told police that there was “a naked woman in the bar area acting crazy.”
When the officer arrived, several patrons outside told him that the woman was breaking everything in the bar.
“I opened the front doors to the business and entered to see that there was glass and liquid all over the bar area,” stated the officer.
The officer said the bar itself was hidden from his view by a partition, but when he cleared the partition he could see a naked female, throwing liquor bottles.
The officer stated that Kindred seemed very agitated and had bottles of liquor in her hands.
According to the arrest affidavit, when the officer announced his presence, she looked at him, uttered incoherent words, drew back her arm, and threw a bottle of liquor at the officer.
The officer stated that the bottle almost hit him in the head, and as the officer was trying to block it, the woman threw a second bottle which struck him in the forearm.
As the officer was yelling at the woman to get on the ground, she approached him, at which time she was tased and fell to the floor.
The officer continued yelling at the woman until she complied.
Kindra, who was apparently having a mental health crisis, was rambling on about Bill Gates and the end of the world.
According to reports, she caused thousands of dollars in damages.
Kindra was arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Felony Criminal Mischief.
She was transported to a local hospital where it was discovered that she had a fentanyl patch in her vaginal area. However, she did not test positive for the drug.
She is being held without bond. Her next court date is slated for December 21, 2021.
Lowell Correctional Institution, located at 11120 NW Gainesville Road, Ocala, is now hiring certified and non-certified correctional officers.
Lowell Correctional Institution offers rewarding correctional officer career opportunities. Becoming a correctional officer in Florida means you are joining a family of hardworking men and women who are dedicated to ensuring public safety throughout the state. Once you join, there are many career advancement steps that progress from Correctional Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Colonel. From there management positions include Assistant Wardens and Wardens. Correctional Officers might also have the opportunity to join special teams such as Rapid Response Teams, Crisis Response Team, Interdiction Units, K-9 Units, and many other special team opportunities.
Standard Benefits:
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits
Supplemental dental, vision, life, disability, and hospitalization insurance
Promotional Opportunities
Tuition-Free college courses
457 Tax Deferred Retirement Plan
Correctional Officers and Probation Officers May Also Receive:
“Special Risk” retirement multiplier
Criminal Justice Incentive Pay (CJIP)
Annual uniform and shoe allowance (Correctional Officer only)
Salary Information:
Trainee Officer: $30,150.38 annually
Certified Officer: $33,500.22 annually
Annual uniform and shoe allowance of $325.00.
Criminal Justice Incentive Pay up to $1,560.00 annually ($130.00 per month).
Job Description:
Supervise inmates, Observe traffic in and around the compound Monitor, supervise and screen inmate visitor traffic. Make periodic patrols of quarters and work areas. Maintain proper security of inmates being transported. Maintain knowledge of communication and other electronic equipment. Maintain and demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms, restraint methods, and equipment, and emergency measures. Maintain a record of equipment, supplies, and other items Check inmate mail for possible contraband.
Qualifications:
Be at least 18 years of age. Be a citizen of the United States notwithstanding any laws of the State to the contrary. Be a high school graduate or its “equivalent.” Be able to pass a background investigation and not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement. Be able to pass a medical examination. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Must not have a dishonorable characterization of military service.
The application is a two-step process:
Submit a State of Florida Application online at www.FLDCjobs.com
Complete the willingness supplemental form Select Lowell as 1st choice
The links to apply are below – Put Lowell as your 1st & 2nd Choice
Step 1
Click Here to complete the State of Florida application.
After the application has been submitted, go to Step 2 below.
Step 2
Click Here to complete the Correctional Officer Supplemental Application
If you have any questions, contact the recruiter, Sergeant Jessica Chapman, at jessica.chapman@fdc.myflorida.com or call 352-690-8676.
Marion County — Motorists can expect temporary lane closures along S.W. 60th Avenue between the intersections of S.W. 95th Street Road and Southwest Highway 200 and S.W. 95th Street Road between the intersections of Southwest Highway 200 and S.W. 60th Avenue, through August 5.
Hartman Civil Construction will be making ramp repairs on the existing sidewalks. Workers and equipment will be located in the County Right-of-Way.
Crews will place barricades, signage, and have flaggers to direct traffic through detours and the work zone while work is being performed.
Many of the aforementioned areas have a lot of traffic in the mornings. Drivers should plan accordingly. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes, when possible.
Work will primarily be during daytime hours.
Please note that construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances, and if this happens, the closure may be rescheduled.
Officials ask that all drivers remember to yield to roadside workers and obey posted speed limits. Speeding fines are doubled in a construction zone.
How many of you wish you could get paid for all the countless, wasted hours you spend playing video games?
What if you could pick one friend to play 21-hours of games with and get paid?
Well, one company is making that all possible.
Internet provider, FrontierBundles.com, is offering $2,000 to two gamers willing to play 21-hours of video games per person together and report back on their experience.
The point of the challenge is because the company wants to know if people play better solo or with another person.
The company said it is a fun way to welcome some big titles coming out this year like Resident Evil Village. Additionally, you can celebrate anniversaries of video games like; The Legend of Zelda is turning 35, Donkey Kong is turning 40, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Street Fighter 2 both turn 30.
FrontierBundles.com says it is literally paying you and a friend to plug in and veg out.
“We’re paying friends $2,000 to gear up (on our dime), play 21 hours of video games per person, and report their experience back to us. We’re wondering: do you play a little better with your best friend alongside you in the thick of the action, or is your focus that much sharper when you play by yourself,” said the company.
The company said, “To help you on your pixelated journey, we’re giving your inventory a boost. Our winners will receive a swag bag filled with gaming essentials, so you can play “together” while remaining remote. Each bag will include a Nintendo Switch Lite, access to both modern video game favorites and retro video game classics, and enough snacks to fuel countless online adventures.”
The company asked, “Let’s be honest with each other: you’re already playing 20+ hours a week anyway, so why not get paid for it?”
In Late 2019, Ocala Post published a story on Elite Roofing and Gutters after customers from multiple counties reported that they had been scammed out of thousands of dollars.
The company was accused of scamming customers in multiple counties, therefore, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement intervened and began a statewide investigation.
Despite the fact the owner of Elite Roofing, Jason Lee Beville, has scammed residents out of thousands of dollars in deposits, he is still licensed with the State of Florida.
Beville was arrested in April 2019 and charged with Grand Theft after a customer filed a complaint with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
The Better Business Bureau revoked the company’s accreditation shortly after Beville’s arrest, however, the company still claims they have an “A” rating with the BBB.
According to court records, Beville and his company are being sued for business loans exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars with lawsuits dating back 11 years.
The company used to be called Top Knotch Roofing, but Since 2006, in an attempt to continue his scams, Beville has changed the company name multiple times.
Detective Robaldo Ramos with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit was assigned several cases in which Beville, operating in his official business capacity, was the suspect. Multiple victims told officials that Beville had taken thousands of dollars in deposits for roof repairs or replacements, and never actually completed the contracted work.
As a result of the fraudulent practices occurring in various counties, along with a third case, the investigation again was turned over to FDLE for investigation.
Based on the findings of FDLE’s investigation, a second warrant was issued for Beville’s arrest on May 26, 2021, for the charge of grand theft over $20,000.00 but less than $100,000.00.
Beville was arrested and his bond was set at $10,000.00.
Marion County — The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s help with locating a man who fled from an accident Wednesday.
According to FHP, the three-vehicle crash happened on SR 40 and 314.
The crash involved a white Saturn, a black Dodge Charger, and a blue Nissan.
The driver of the Saturn, described by witnesses as a Hispanic male, jumped out of the car, stated that he did not have a driver’s license, and fled the scene on foot. Troopers believe this man is responsible for the crash.
The unidentified man has not been located and is still on the run.
Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and provided medical attention to the other occupants. Additionally, MCFR had to dust the road due to fluids that leaked from one of the vehciels.
Two people suffered injures and were transported to local hospitals.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information about this accident or know the man’s whereabouts, you are asked to contact FHP.
Photos courtesy of Ocala Post contributor, Tim Read
[Last updated on May 27, 2021, at 5:42 p.m.]
Michael Bishop — Has previous felony arrests for domestic violence.
Marion County — Three people — one suspect and two innocent civilians — were injured Wednesday following a high-speed chase with a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy. A fourth person was not injured.
The suspect had been involved in a domestic dispute in which he grabbed a woman by her hair, backhanded her, and then choked her. The suspect, later identified as Michael Bishop, then fled the scene. When a deputy responded to the area, he spotted the suspect’s pickup truck and a pursuit ensued.
The suspect was known to law enforcement.
Bishop, age 29, whose name had initially not been released, suffered critical injuries. He was driving a 2001 Chevy Silverado.
The driver of the maroon 2010 Nissan, a 33-year-old female, along with her two daughters — a 6 and 10-year-old — was also transported to a hospital with injuries. All occupants were wearing their seatbelts.
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According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Bishop was driving a pickup west on SR-40 at a high rate of speed, approaching the intersection of SW 80 Avenue, while actively fleeing from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
The female driving the second vehicle was turning left from SR-40 onto SW 80 Avenue for a green traffic signal and the third vehicle was traveling south on SW 80 Avenue and was stopped for a red traffic signal at the intersection of SR-40.
Troopers say that Bishop ran the red light and struck the right front section of the female’s vehicle with the front end of the pickup truck causing debris to strike the third vehicle that was stopped a the red light.
Bishop sustained critical injuries during the crash and was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center.
The mother and her daughters were transported to Shands with non-life-threatening injuries.
Bishop has been charged with Aggravated Fleeing and eluding and Battery by Strangulation.
The chase occurred at approximately 3:25 p.m in the afternoon.
Attorneys looking into the case, said, “MCSO knew the suspect and had a description of his vehicle. Mr. Bishop could have been located at another time. Instead, the deputy initiated a high-speed chase on a busy highway and it resulted in three innocent people being injured. Two of them were small children. This will certainly cost the taxpayers of Marion County.” They went on to say, “Criminals must be held accountable, but not at the expense of the innocent and not when such carnage can be avoided.”
According to FHP, the chase exceeded speeds of 90 MPH.
Ocala — One person was transported to a local hospital Wednesday following a rollover crash.
Ocala Fire Rescue responded to a collision involving two vehicles at the 1500 block of E. Silver Springs Boulevard.
At 9:01 a.m. Engine 3, Rescue 3, and Battalion Chief 22 were dispatched to the scene.
Units arrived to find a silver compact vehicle on its roof. The driver was trapped and needed to be extricated. A white pickup truck with minimal damage was parked behind the silver vehicle.
Firefighters used wooden wedges to stabilize the silver vehicle and began extrication.
The driver was removed through the passenger’s side window and transported to the hospital.
Marion County — Marion County School Board members have voted 3-2 to permanently close Evergreen Elementary School.
The board cited various reasons including declining student enrollment, inadequate student learning gains, and a lack of teachers to reopen the school.
Ocala Post spoke with a group of teachers who say that the shortage of teachers in Florida and the mass exodus of teachers in Marion and Citrus Counties into other jobs are related to how they are treated and micro-managed by the administration. Additionally, teachers say that many children have serious, sometimes dangerous behavioral issues and are not being disciplined at home, therefore, everything falls on teachers. They feel as though there is little to no parent involvement.
In an email to Ocala Post, one teacher stated, “The public has no idea what really goes on and it is the teachers who always take the fall. Schools care about their state rating…not the teachers. If a child is unwilling to learn that should be on the student.”
Teachers also say that school districts have wasted thousands of dollars on programs like i-Ready and Canvas, just to name a few, and have taken human teaching out of the equation. Many feel the removal of traditional textbooks and other teaching materials has been a huge downfall for students for years. This coupled with the fact that the curriculum is geared toward teaching for standardized testing, teachers say the failures have been a long time in the making.
According to the school district, the years-long process now means Evergreen’s 200-plus students must be reassigned to higher-achieving schools in classrooms with teachers who have been rated as “effective” or higher. At board member request, this can be completed soon instead of waiting until July or August, when school grades are expected to be released by Florida’s Department of Education.
After a string of poor and failing grades, Evergreen Elementary could have only remained open had it achieved a “C” grade or higher this year. Last year’s improving student quarterly scores were negated when the pandemic hit and the state postponed annual testing.
Over the last four years, district leaders have met repeatedly with the Evergreen staff and community to determine the school’s future.
Marion County also spent thousands in taxpayer dollars in which Evergreen had external operators directing its teaching efforts for the last three years as a potential solution to keep the school open.
Evergreen was built in 1989 to house 750 students. Its future use will be determined by School Board members; however, it cannot operate as another school facility in the near future because of state law.
Ocala Post is currently interviewing teachers from various schools who agreed to speak on the record and a follow-up story will be published.
Lecanto, Florida — On May 21, 2021, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was contacted in reference to a Lecanto High School teacher sending sexual text messages and images to multiple students.
Detectives interviewed one female student who said that the teacher, identified as Adam Joseph Joerres, 33, had been talking to Joerres through messages since February 2021.
The victim told deputies that the messaged were “flirty” and that Joerres also sent memes that depicted penis-shaped objects.
According to reports, in the classroom, Joerres would wad up pieces of paper and throw them at the victim’s buttocks. On more than one occasion he would toss the paper down the front of the victim’s shirt and state “jackpot.”
The victim told detectives that in April, on Prom Night, Joerres texted and told her to come over after prom. The victim said that Joerres told her to delete the messages or he would kill her.
During the investigation, Detective Mission with the CCSO Special Victims Unit obtained evidence that showed Joerres had been engaging in inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with the student.
Officials made contact with Joerres on Monday, May 24, 2021, and questioned him regarding the allegations. During his interview, Joerres confirmed the allegations. He was subsequently placed under arrest for solicitation of sexual conduct from a student by an authority figure.
Joerres worked at Lecanto Middle School intermittingly from 2016 – 2018. He started teaching at Lecanto High School in November 2020. Joerres was a math teacher and also coached the Lady Panthers flag football team.
