Florida — Authorities say an attempt to contaminate the city of Oldsmar’s water treatment facility in Florida with sodium hydroxide was foiled despite a hacker gaining remote access to the local water treatment plant’s computer system.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during a news conference on Monday that a plant worker at the treatment facility first noticed unusual activity with its computer system at 8 a.m. on Friday. A few hours later, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a hacker accessed the system again. This time taking control of the mouse and opening software that controls water treatment.
The hacker then reportedly increased the amount of sodium hydroxide from 100 parts per million to 11,100 parts per million.
Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is the main ingredient in liquid drain cleaners. Officials said it is also used to control water acidity and remove metals from drinking water at treatment plants.
Sheriff Gualtieri said the hacker exited the system and a worker at the plant was able to intervene and reverse the change.
Officials insist that the levels would have never made it into the city’s drinking water.
The CDC directed Ocala Post to its website, where it reads, “Sodium hydroxide does not produce systemic toxicity, but is very corrosive and can cause severe burns in all tissues that it comes in contact with. Sodium hydroxide poses a particular threat to the eyes since it can hydrolyze protein, leading to severe eye damage.”
“Sodium hydroxide is very corrosive. It can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and mucous membrane; an allergic reaction; eye and skin burns; and temporary loss of hair,” according to the CDC.
Gualtieri said that even if the employee had not intervened right away, it would have taken between 24 and 36 hours to enter the water supply system and that there are other safeguards in place where the water would have been checked before it was released to the public for drinking.
After the employee corrected the changes, a supervisor disabled remote access to the system.
The sheriff’s office was then notified.
“This type of activity and this type of hacking of critical infrastructure is not necessarily limited to just water supply systems,” said Gualtieri.
Software installed on the computer allowed for remote access by employees.
The sheriff has also already been accused of fearmongering and “exaggerating” the seriousness of the incident.
The sheriff said he does not know why the treatment facility was targeted and that they have notified the FBI.
A Florida man remained behind bars Monday after he shot his wife’s lover to death on February 4.
According to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Damian DeRousha, 43, found out about the affair and confronted his wife via text message.
DeRousha later went to a Volusia County vehicle maintenance facility in Daytona Beach where the other man, identified as Donald Geno, 31, was working and confronted him.
Investigators say the two men and the wife all worked at the same facility.
The arrest affidavit states that when DeRousha confronted Geno he became defensive with DeRousha. An argument ensued and DeRousha pulled out a gun and shot Geno multiple times at point-blank range. When Geno fell to the ground, DeRousha stood over him and fired one more shot.
DeRousha then retreated to his pickup truck where he waited for deputies to arrive.
Investigators said multiple witnesses rendered aid to Geno in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
When deputies arrived at the scene, DeRousha was reportedly in shock and in a daze.
DeRousha later stated, “I just lost my mind.”
His attorney, Matt Phillips, said that DeRousha killed Geno in the heat of the moment and that DeRousha could certainly use his mental state at the time as a defense.
DeRousha has been charged with First-Degree Premeditated Manslaughter.
Geno was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
A Marion County man will not do jail time after the State Attorney’s Office dropped aggravated animal cruelty charges he was facing.
Shawn Lemarr Benson, 46, was arrested in August of 2020 after he struck a pit bull in the head several times with a fence post.
According to court records, Beson was working on a dog kennel for Phoebe Bennett when her dog snatched up a cat and wouldn’t let it go.
Benson attempted to get the cat out of the dog’s mouth, but could not. He then picked up a fence post and struck the dog over the head. The dog was taken to a local vet where it had to be put to sleep.
After the dog was euthanized, Benson was arrested by MCSO and charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty.
During the investigation, the SAO learned from Benson’s attorney, Michael Reiter, that the pit bull, named Phantom, had to be muzzled by the owner because it had previously killed another cat in the neighborhood while it was on a leash.
Reiter said, according to Florida statute 767.03, “In any action for damages or of a criminal prosecution against any person for killing or injuring a dog, satisfactory proof that said dog had been or was killing any animal included in the definitions of “domestic animal” and “livestock” as provided by s. 585.01 shall constitute a good defense to either of such actions.”
Reiter said Benson was protected under the law and well within his right.
According to the statute, Benson should have never been arrested.
Ocala, Florida — Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) responded to reports of a fire on the 500 block of Southeast 28th Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4.
OFR Engines 2, 3, and 5, Rescue 2, Squad 1, Tower 1, Battalion Chief 22, and a Safety Officer were dispatched to the call.
Upon arrival, crews encountered a single-story residential structure engulfed in flames. The roof of the structure had already been compromised.
According to a press release, Engine 5 established a water supply while crews from Engines 3 and 2 pulled their pre-connected hose lines to the structure’s front and rear.
Due to the fire’s magnitude, OFR said units took a defensive stance until the heavy flames were knocked down. Once the fire was under control, firefighters forced entry into the back of the residence to complete a search. The area was deemed clear.
Crews continued to douse the fire scene until neither flames nor hot spots remained.
No one was inside the residence at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.
Marion County – COVID-19 is creating a dire need for temporary school bus drivers in Marion County Public Schools. So much so, the district wants to immediately fill 20 recently-created temporary driving positions.
With about 280 buses on the road every school day, nearly 20 percent of current drivers are absent thanks to positive COVID-19 cases and direct contact quarantining. That’s twice the normal rate. To help solve the issue, the district is partnering with CareerSource Citrus/Levy/Marion and holding a job fair just for bus drivers.
The fair takes place Wednesday, February 17, 10 A.M-2 P.M at CareerSource CLM in Ocala (2703 NE 14 St., 34470).
Prior to attending, applicants should register with www.EmployFlorida.com, search for Job Order 11339589 then follow the application instructions. Make an appointment for the event by calling 352.840.5757 and plan to follow social distancing protocols.
Applicants must be at least 21, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a minimum of five years of driving experience. Commercial driving experience with a CDL Class B with P.S. endorsement is preferred but not required.
For more information, call 800.434.5627 (JOBS) ext. 1272.
Florida — Planet Fitness dubs itself as “The Judgment Free Zone,” with other signs that read, “you belong,” or “no critics,” but members say PF seems to be the biggest critics of all.
PF has also come under criticism for removing free-weight bench presses and squat racks. Additionally, members say they have left because of the ridiculous mask policy.
Over the past 10 years, PF has gained popularity. The gym started in 1992 as a small operation in New Hampshire, but is now the fastest-growing gym chain in the United States with over 750 locations nationwide.
The gym is actually a revolving door, meaning it cashes in on the fact that many members sign up and never actually step foot inside the gym.
Co-founder and chief executive Chris Rondeau said that most gyms cater to roughly 15% of gym enthusiasts…a.k.a serious weightlifters. Instead, PF’s goal is to attract a much larger percentage of people who want to be healthier but will actually only use the gym a few times a month. A typical subscription business model where the goal of the gym is to make the most profit but offer very little as far as a substance to its clients. And analysts say removing all free weights was a sure way to ensure certain clientele will not attend the gym.
The gym enforces a strict rule system. There is no grunting allowed, and for a serious weightlifter, Dennis G. O’Connell, a professor of physical therapy at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, said the no grunt policy is absurd. Besides the no-grunt policy, there is also a policy of no bandannas, no jeans, and no banging weights. Planet Fitness believes this will make its target clientele of novice lifters feel more comfortable and have a “safe space” to work out.
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A spokesman for IDEA Health and Fitness Association, once told the New York Times, “I’ve never seen any gym that micromanages their customers like that. If they see someone talking, are they going to tell that person they’re disturbing other patrons? It’s wild.”
In 2006, bodybuilder and correctional officer, Albert Argibay, was at a PF with 500 pounds of weight on his shoulders one afternoon when the manager power walked over to him and told him it was time to leave. The manager said Argibay had violated one of the gym’s most sacred and strictly enforced rules… he was grunting.
Argibay told the manager that he was merely breathing heavily from lifting so much weight, to which the manager told him to walk upfront because his membership would be terminated. Argibay continued his workout, but moments later was escorted out by police.
At that time, police stated that no one in the gym complained. They said it was just that the manager either did not like the officer or was offended by his breathing. They said they did not take pleasure in escorting the man out.
In PF, if you grunt, they set off what they call the “lunk alarm.” Which is basically an ear-piercing tornado-type siren.
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Albert Argibay, a correction officer ejected from Planet Fitness for grunting – Photo by Susan Stava
The cancellation of memberships for grunting has happened many times and doesn’t stop there.
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The very statement describing a “lunk” is in itself judging.
In another instance, a man entered the women’s bathroom. In the bathroom area, there is also a locker room and showers. A woman who had been in the locker room changing reported it to the front desk. The man told management that he identified as a woman and the member was suspended from the gym for “discrimination.”
In 2016, a man was working out at the PF in Ocala, located on Maricamp Road. He was bench pressing 315 pounds on a Smith Machine. He was using a Smith machine because, as previously mentioned, PF removed all free-weight bench presses and squat racks. Smith machines do not allow for the use of stabilizer muscles and the machines are deemed more dangerous for bench pressing.
On his fourth set and fourth rep, he suffered a complete tear of his pectoral muscle and the tendon that attaches to the humorous had snapped away from the bone. He was unable to lock the machine to keep the weight falling on his chest. His 15-year-old son was not able to lift the weight. When the man called out for help, a staff member set off the “lunk alarm.” Again, he called out for help, and again, the staff member set off the “lunk alarm.”
Finally, another member helped his son lift off the weight. The man was driven to a local hospital. He underwent surgery and eventually recovered.
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The equipment required for doing these exercises has since been removed from PFs.
Now to the mask policy.
On February 3, 2021, a member was at the PF in Inverness working out. PF requires masks while in the lobby and while “roaming” the gym but not while lifting weights.
However, on Wednesday, the member said he and his daughter were at PF at approximately 10:30 p.m., while the gym was virtually empty, doing heavy curls.
The man said he and his daughter were several sets in when a staff member, who had harassed them multiple times before, walked over and told them that they didn’t have to wear a mask while lifting, but had to put the mask back on in between sets.
The man said he asked, “Is that a joke?”
The staff member told him it was PF policy.
The member said, “It is ridiculous to ask anyone to put on a mask in between sets when you are trying to catch your breath. That is not only absurd, but it’s also dangerous.” He said, “Any serious weightlifter needs that one to two minutes in between heavy sets. This is exactly the reason why the gym does not have serious clients. This is the reason so many have left for more expensive gyms that have not removed bench presses and don’t hover over you.” Adding, “This is just one of the reasons they have been nicknamed Planet Pansy.”
The man said he has contacted the corporate office to cancel his membership and plans to join a gym over in Crystal River that does not require masks and has real weightlifting equipment.
“I refuse to go to a gym where they have a Nazi mentality. I have only been a member for two weeks and I am not impressed. This is Citrus County…the sooner they realize that the better.”
Another member, who identified herself as Gloria, said, “PF has definitely become a gym for those who need a safe space and buy into cancel culture.” She went on to say, “Not only do I work out regularly, but I am also a personal trainer. As soon as my membership expires, I plan to join Too Your Health Spa.”
She said, “It is not even enjoyable to work out at [PF] because of all the rules and harassment from staff, especially for the mask policy. I used to work out with a group but they have all moved on because of the crazy rules.”
According to global forecast models, there is a blast of winter weather trying to enter Florida around February 12 or 13.
Forecasters from AccuWeather say that this cold air is being pushed down to Florida from the first serious arctic blast that the U.S has seen this winter.
In some states, the temperature is expected to drop to -26 by Monday.
The arctic air coming into Florida is expected to bring with it an increase in moisture.
The two elements together, meaning arctic air and moisture, is setting up the possibility of some winter precipitation: snow or perhaps a rain-snow mix around Southern Georgia or North Central Florida area.
Marion County is currently under a freeze warning.
As with any weather forecast, projections are subject to change.
The City of Ocala masks ordinance will remain in effect for the next 60 days.
In a 4-1 vote, City Council members voted on the ordinance Tuesday. For the next 60 days, business owners will be required to post signs at their establishments informing staff and customers that they must wear a mask.
Mayor Kent Guinn, who recently spent five days in the hospital with COVID-19, said he is against the extension.
In the meeting, City Councilman Matthew Wardell stated that because of stances that were announced publicly by individuals like Sheriff Billy Woods and Guinn, that the ordinance had to be put in place to encourage mask-wearing in the city.
Guinn said he is against the extension because he feels citizens can make their own decisions.
In August of 2020, an Ocala business owner, who is also an attorney, filed a lawsuit against the City of Ocala for both a declaratory judgment and injunctive release on an emergency and permanent basis as a result of the mask ordinance put in place by Ocala city officials.
There have been more than 14 lawsuits filed in Florida challenging the constitutional validity of ordinances requiring face coverings.
The lawsuit states, “The major distinction [between the other cases] and the case at bar, is that Ocala has not specifically enacted any legislation that actually requires individuals to utilize face coverings. The abject failure of Ocala to draft any meaningful law to remotely achieve its stated objective cannot stand as a matter of law.”
At that time, Guinn made his position clear.
Guinn, said, “The burden falls on the business owner. It will be too hard to enforce.”
In that lawsuit, it stated, “Ocala has unlawfully delegated both its powers and its responsibilities, of legislating and enforcing individual citizen’s choices in regards to face mask usage, to private business owners. Rather than entertaining any meaningful attempt to directly legislate the behavior of its citizens, Ocala has inexplicably and entirely without any authority, shifted the burden and responsibility of legislating its policies and policing its citizens to private business owners.”
The current vote on the Ocala mask ordinance makes the third extension.
As for Guinn, on Monday, he posted the following to Facebook.
“To all the people that have wished me well in my recovery from Covid…Thank you! I’m doing well, I’ll be back. God truly blessed me through this. With that said this is a message to the rest of you that are bickering with each other about this. STOP IT!! this Virus has no political ideology. It cares not if your a D or an R. Ordinance or no ordinance. Here’s some of what I learned. I was told I was one of the lucky ones, I was blessed is what I was. When you lay in that hospital bed alone at night and pray to God for your very next breath then you know that this Virus cares nothing about your political views. You come to understand what’s important in life. Your faith, family and your loved ones are the most important things in your life. Political views just don’t matter. They are literally a waste of your oxygen to even think about. Moving forward, we as a Community need to support and love on the people who have lost loved ones through this Virus. Those that have had it and survived, listen to their stories. It’s different for most everyone. Also let’s get healthy. If your overweight, see your physician and work on a plan, if your diabetic, get it under control. If you have heart problems get with your Dr and get healthy. The health conditions I’ve mentioned are who it attacks. Let’s as a community go on offense not just be on defense. Thank you to each and every nurse, health care worker I came in contact with. You were my Angels outside room 606 at Advent Hospital. I’ll close with this. There were three songs I would listen to that really meant so much to me. Get on YouTube and listen to them. Alabama live singing Just a closer walk with thee, Alabama Angels among us, and Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, How great thou art. My Oxygen numbers would go up from 88 to 93 and above listening to them. Please take the time to listen to them and pay attention to the words. God Bless each and every one of you and thank you for your continued support and prayers. STOP the bickering and go out and do something good in the community.”
Pasco County — A man with the tattoo of Florida on his forehead gives a new meaning to the term “Florida Man.” Judging from his photo, he might have misused more than just 9-1-1.
He was frustrated that he had to walk home and was arrested after he called 9-1-1.
According to the arrest affidavit, Matthew Leatham, 22, couldn’t get a ride home Sunday and called 9-1-1 to ask for a ride.
Leatham cursed at the dispatcher, who in turn gave him the non-emergency phone number.
A deputy responded to Leatham’s location and offered to call him a taxi. However, Leatham told the deputy that he was broke and didn’t have any money.
According to the deputy, Leatham began to walk in the direction where he lives and, again, dialed 9-1-1.
Leatham wasn’t having an emergency therefore the deputy arrested him.
Leatham was charged with Misuse of the 911 System and Possession of Marijuana, which was found on his body after the arrest.
Leatham told the deputy that he didn’t know the substance in his pocket was marijuana.
Effective February 2, 2021, masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
The CDC has issued an order that requires face masks to be worn by all travelers while on public transportation, including children over the age of two.
There has also been controversy after Dr. Anthony Fauci, suggested that everyone should wear two masks. In April of 2020, during a nationally broadcast interview, he told the public that masks were not necessary.
On January 25, in an interview with Today host, Savannah Guthrie, discussing the new coronavirus variants and mask protection, Fauci said, “If you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective and that’s the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an N95.”
Following his comments, a Vermont man, identified as Chad, recorded and posted a video he said he feels shows that masks are not as effective as they are made out to me. The video was posted on Facebook and the social media giant quickly removed sharing capabilities.
The new CDC order does not require the use of double masks, but some fear it might in the future.
A lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of two residents, Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin, citing that people have been tricked by Subway.
In the lawsuit, attorney Alex Brown, noted, “Consumers are consistently misled into purchasing the products for the commonly known and/or advertised benefits and characteristics of tuna when in fact no such benefits could be had, given that the products are in fact devoid of tuna.”
The lawsuit claims independent testing shows that Subway tuna is a “mixture of various concoctions.”
One analyst said the tuna is less appetizing than cat food, however, the lawsuit does not list what ingredients the “concoction” actually contains.
In a statement, Subway, said, “The lawsuit has no merit. Subway’s sandwiches are made with flaked tuna in brine, mayonnaise, and a flavor-protecting additive.” Adding, “Our tuna is wild-caught.”
If certified as a class action, the lawsuit could affect more than 2,200 Subway locations.
In 2017, Matt Harnden, a DNA researcher with Trent University’s Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory, conducted DNA testing on Subway’s oven-roasted chicken and reported that it only contained 53.6% chicken DNA, and its chicken strips were a mere 42.8% chicken. Harnden alleged that Subway’s chicken contained mostly soy filler.
The College of Central Florida Foundation’s Night at the Farm, formerly Taste of Ocala, scheduled for March 6, 2021, has been canceled due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic.
“Planning for this scholarship fundraising event began last summer and we had high hopes we would hold the event in person in 2021,” said Chris Knife, executive director of the CF Foundation. “Due to the vaccination roll out and unknown impacts caused by the new strains of the virus, the Foundation Board in consultation with college administration and input from some sponsors believes this is the most reasonable and safest thing to do with the event so close.”
The CF Foundation said it appreciates the gracious support from the Night at the Farm sponsors and will gladly accept tax-deductible donations for this year’s event to help fund critical scholarships. Donations can be made at CF.edu/give.
“Despite the cancellation, sponsorships and donations for this year’s event will fund two endowed scholarships and possibly three,” said Knife. “In normal circumstances, our goal is to fund three.”
Since 1989, the CF Foundation has raised more than $1.46 million for College of Central Florida student scholarships through “Taste of Ocala” and “Night at the Farm.” For questions about the CF Foundation or for more information about Night at the Farm, contact the CF Foundation at 352-873-5808 or foundation@cf.edu.
Mark Zuckerberg Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
On Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social media platform would no longer recommend civic or political groups or organizations to its users.
Zuckerberg said that some countries have reported that it will only include political groups, but he says that is false. He said it will include civic and political entities.
According to a Facebook spokesperson, a civic organization or group could include any fraternal society or association, local service club, veterans post, police organization, volunteer fire or rescue group, or local civic league or association of 10 or more persons not organized for profit. This includes any nonprofit or private groups operated exclusively for educational or charitable purposes.
Zuckerberg said the algorithms will be permanent and will be expanded globally with no exceptions.
The company says that groups and pages will not be deleted unless they violate a Facebook policy, but they will not be recommended in anyone’s feed. They will still be searchable and people will still be allowed to join or follow an organization.
In recent months, Zuckerberg said the company has received an enormous amount of pressure from watchdog groups demanding civic and political organizations recommended in news feeds be decreased in some way. Additionally, he said that millions of users have expressed the same sentiment through feedback.
“Politics has kind of had a way of creeping into everything, and I think a lot of the feedback that we see from our community is that people don’t want that in their experience,” said Zuckerberg. He went on to say, “There are also a lot of groups that we may not want to encourage people to join, even if they don’t violate our policies. Now, we plan to keep civic and political groups out of recommendations for the long term.”
Facebook said anyone who operates any of the aforementioned types of pages or groups will certainly see a decrease in traffic.
Ocala , Florida — Last Sunday, a Good Samaritan, Barry Wilson, was on his daily bike ride through Ocala when he road up on a yellow Pelican 1300 case lying on the edge of the road at the corner of SE Watula Ave and Silver Springs Blvd.
Wilson picked up the case and later took a picture of it and posted it on social media in an attempt to locate the owner. The post stated that if someone could identify the contents of the case then they could have it back.
A short time later, someone who recognized the alpha and numeric markings on the outside of the case suggested he contact Ocala Fire Rescue.
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As it turned out, the case did belong to OFR and on January 27, Wilson returned it to the proper fire station.
Inside the case was an MSA multi-gas detection meter.
According to MSA, the meters can cost anywhere from $200 to several thousand dollars.
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In an email to Ocala Post, OFR Public Information Officer Ashley Lopez, stated that the meter Wilson found cost OFR approximately $2,500.
“Fire departments use these monitors for multiple reasons, the most common being after a fire to ensure a location is free of toxic fumes. Ocala Fire Rescue has four of these devices at our disposal. The monitor returned to OFR is valued at approximately $2,500,” said Lopez.
On Facebook, Jeff Villone wrote to Wilson, “You are a true man of integrity.”
Wilson joked back, “Nah, I figured if I took it to a pawn shop, Mr. Officer would be knocking on my door and I don’t need that type of excitement.”
In all seriousness, Wilson said he returned it because it was certainly the right thing to do.
OFR has expressed its gratitude for the return of the device.
It is not known how the device came to be on the road.
On January 13, OPD Officer J. Lawrence was on patrol when he was dispatched to a late-reported domestic battery at the Howard Johnson hotel, located at 3951 NW Blitchton Rd.
Initial reports indicated that the victim had previously lied to OPD about being a victim of domestic battery, but now wished to disclose having been battered by her boyfriend.
The victim stated that she was afraid her boyfriend would return to Howard Johnson and discover she had called Ocala OPD and wanted to meet in the parking lot of a neighboring motel.
The officer responded to the area and met with the victim in the back of Comfort Suites.
Upon making contact with the victim, the officer noticed that she was upset, crying, and continually looked back toward the parking lot of the Howard Johnson motel to make sure no one was watching her.
How it started:
The victim stated that she and her boyfriend, Shaqniel O’Neil Bailey, had been dating since early 2017 and that, the two have lived together off and on since they began dating.
According to the victim, she is pregnant with Bailey’s child.
The victim said on December 20, 2020, she was at Bailey’s mother’s residence after Bailey had returned to Florida after having been in Texas since September 2020 for work.
According to the arrest affidavit, Bailey asked to see the victim’s cell phone while she was in the shower. However, he was unable to access it due to a passcode.
A short time later, the victim exited the shower and Bailey told the victim she was “being sneaky.”
Bailey then stated, “You’re trying my intelligence.”
While the victim was on the bed, Bailey grabbed her by the hair and pulled her off. Bailey then grabbed the victim by the throat with both hands in a C-clamp grip and began choking her.
Bailey choked the victim for approximately 30 seconds during which time her airway was cut off and she could not breathe. The victim was able to break free by prying away one of Bailey’s fingers. As Bailey continued to argue and scream at the victim she decided to leave with her 5-year-old son and return to the hotel.
According to reports, Bailey followed her.
Back at the hotel, Bailey kept berating the victim and seemed like she was going to hit her.
According to the report, the victim told Bailey if he hit her she would call the police, at which time Bailey began running toward the victim.
Bailey grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the ground. He then punched her multiple times in the left ear and mouth. He then, again, placed both his hands in a C-clamp grip around her neck and began choking her but quickly let her go because of other hotel guests watching.
The two then entered their hotel room.
Bailey continued to argue with the victim and the victim told Bailey that she could no longer be with him.
Bailey then stated, “You promised you would never leave me.”
Bailey then grabbed the victim in a bear hug, slammed her on the ground, and began choking her.
It was at that time, a police officer knocked on the door.
Bailey became enraged and told the victim that if she told the officer that [he] had hit her that he would hurt her. Additionally, Bailey told her that he would not be the only person to come after her if he was arrested. He then told the victim to “compose” herself and answer the door.
The victim told the officer that the argument was only verbal and the two trespassed from the hotel.
They then rented a room at the Howard Johnson.
On January 11, the two became involved in another argument where Bailey again, punched and choked the victim.
On January 13, the victim left the room to get food and when she returned, Bailey asked, Where the f**k have you been?” The two argued for a brief moment before Bailey went downstairs to smoke marijuana.
While Bailey was downstairs, the victim began packing up her belongings.
When Bailey realized that the victim was trying to leave, he began screaming at her. Bailey then left and the victim called OPD.
The officer noted that the victim had visible bruising on her arms, a cut on her face, and bruising inside her mouth.
When asked why she did not tell officers what had happened when they responded on January 11, she said that she feared for her life.
On January 14, Bailey was arrested and charged with Felony Battery by Strangulation, Aggravated Battery; Pregnant Victim, and Tampering with a Victim.
On January 22, he was released on an $11,000 bond.
Ocala, Florida — The Ocala Police Department is currently working a traffic fatality – Vehicle vs. Pedestrian – at Southwest Broadway Street and South Pine Avenue.
The roadways north and south on Pine Avenue, between State Road 40 and Southwest 5th Street are currently blocked.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.
According to reports, a pedestrian was struck and killed after a man driving a yellow Volkswagen struck a woman who, for unknown reasons, walked in front of his car. The man was traveling southbound on Pine.
Witnesses said that the woman was tossed through the air like a ragdoll and the Volkswagen was damaged and the windshield shattered.
Belleview, Florida — A well-known business in Belleview was destroyed by a fire Wednesday morning.
At approximately 6:46 a.m, MCFR units were dispatched to a commercial structure fire located at Top Tech of Belleview, located at 12006 SE County Highway 484.
Dozens of passersby called 911 to report the structure fire.
According to an MCFR press release, one of the callers reported that the auto repair shop was engulfed in flames and someone was screaming for help.
Belleview Fire Station number 18 arrived on the scene in a little over two minutes and began accessing the situation. When firefighters arrived, it was determined that the roof of the structure had already been compromised.
Units were able to locate one person who had suffered injuries.
A short time later, paramedics from Rescue 30 arrived on the scene, declared a trauma alert, and transported the patient to a local trauma hospital.
MCFR said that Battalion Chief number 3 then arrived on the scene and established command, at which time a 360-degree inspection of the fire ground was completed.
Shift Commander, Chief Daniel Jodoin, struck a second alarm, bringing several more engine companies and firefighters to the scene.
Additional units from Spruce Creek Station number 30, Villages Station number 10, Shady Station number 16, Anthony Station number 1, and Rolling Greens Station number 28 arrived on the scene to assist with extinguishing the fire.
Belleview Command directed a coordinated fire attack and firefighters beat back the flames from all sides of the structure.
A primary search of the structure was completed with no other victims found.
The fire was called under control at 7:22 a.m.
According to MCFR, units on Scene included E18, BC3, Div1, A103, BC7, L1, E10, R18, R518, T16, HR1, E16, HR2, B102, T30, R30, E28, E17, D100, D105, D102, and STFM.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Staten Island, New York — Mac’s Public House co-owner, Daniel Presti, spoke publicly for the first time Monday since he was illegally arrested on December 6, 2020.
Presti and his legal team have been publicly accused by CNN, other media outlets, and law enforcement agencies of being “white supremacists” and “sovereign citizens” for using the term patriot when speaking out against police corruption. Presti was also verbally attacked by other cops from across the U.S.
During a press conference Monday, Presti’s attorney, Mark Fonte, spoke in great detail about the corruption that Presti has faced from Staten Island officials and Sheriff Joseph Fucito.
Sheriff Joseph Fucito
Fonte said he’s now calling for New York City Sheriff Joseph Fucito to resign and make a public apology.
On December 6, after Presti spoke out following a previous arrest due to violating COVID-19 restrictions at his bar, Sheriff Fucito instructed his deputies to ambush Presti as he left his place of business. He was chased down in a dark alley shortly after midnight. Fonte believes that the sheriff got his orders from Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Mark Cuomo.
Fonte said, “The sheriff’s goon squad came down here with bad intentions.”
According to reports, during the arrest, none of the deputies identified themselves as law enforcement.
The District Attorney’s office said that Presti thought he was being attacked and fled the scene in his jeep, at which time Sgt. Kenneth Matos jumped on the hood of the vehicle and was thrown off.
During the grand jury hearings, video confirmed Presti’s statements that the deputies did not identify themselves. Fonte said the deputies acted more like muggers in an alley.
In the days following, Sheriff Fucito told several news outlets that his deputy suffered two broken legs during Presti’s arrest.
Fonte said Matos’ medical records were later provided to the District Attorney. Those medical records contradicted the sheriff’s statements that Matos has suffered major injuries.
In a previous interview, Fonte said, “This case should be a testament to the people in this country of how far the government will go with corruption.”
Presti had strong words for the corrupt officials in New York and around the country.
As you can see in the video, some media outlets attempted to turn the incident into a racial issue. They were immediately shut down by the bar owners.
When questioned about Matos’ injuries, Sheriff Fucito said, “The hospital must have misdiagnosed my deputy.”
Ultimately, all criminal charges against Presti were dismissed.
On Wednesday, during a Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership meeting, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken briefly spoke on the subject of legalizing marijuana.
Balken said, “You know, there’s a lot of talk about marijuana legalization. I don’t care what side of the coin you’re on with that, it doesn’t really matter to me.” He went on to say, “I can tell you this; if it gets…when it gets legalized recreationally, that will cost the police department about $100,000 in canines and canine training.”
Balken said his department would have to get new dogs that are not imprinted on marijuana so cases could hold up in court.
“We will also have more violent crime in the city because the vast majority of our illegal firearms carried by know violent, felony offenders are recovered through drug sniffs and the officer alerting to the smell of marijuana,” said Balken.
Referring to the possibility of losing canines, Balken compares the loss to the ban of chokeholds and says that police officers are losing too many tools from their tool belts.
In the same video segment, Balken says that “cops were never really supposed to do chokeholds.”
Balken says the aftermentioned issues are what they are thinking about when they are at the Florida Police Chief’s Association discussing policy.
The Journal of Drug Issues, in a recent study, wrote, “We did not detect any increases in the rates of multiple types of crimes in border counties of the nonlegalized states bordering Colorado and Washington.” Moreover, “We observed a substantial reduction in certain types of crimes, namely, property crime, larceny, and simple assault, in border counties in the Colorado region.”
They went on to say those police departments in the areas where marijuana has been legalized for recreation use have all reported a reduction in the mentioned crimes.
