Ocala Post (Ocala News) - Archive

Man dies after vehicle hit by train

Ocala Post

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October 8, 2019

On October 8, 2019, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Amtrak that one of their trains had collided with a vehicle at Fletcher Fish Camp Rd., Haines City.

When emergency responders arrived, they found that the driver, 62-year-old Thomas Anthony Henry, of Haines City, had been ejected from the vehicle.

Henry was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Fletcher Fish Camp Road is a small private gravel road that runs north off of Old Haines City/Lake Alfred Road, approximately 1 mile west of Haines City. Fletcher Fish Camp Road allows entry into the Natures Cove subdivision. The road crosses CSX railroad tracks approximately 50 yards north of Old Haines City/Lake Alfred Road. The railroad crossing is equipped with both a railroad crossing sign, as well as a stop sign.

Evidence and witness statements indicate that a 2013 blue Chevrolet Spark, driven by Henry, was traveling northbound on Fletcher Fish Camp Road.

According to reports, Henry failed to stop for the stop sign posted at the railroad tracks and into the path of the oncoming Amtrak passenger train.

The train slammed into the rear of the vehicle, which was traveling westbound at approximately 73 mph.

The vehicle rotated multiple times and Henry was ejected.

The train crew stated they saw the vehicle travel across the tracks at approximately 20 mph without stopping. They were blowing the train’s horn and began emergency braking, but were unable to avoid the vehicle. The train came to a stop with the lead engine approximately a mile west of the crossing. The train was composed of 2 engines, 9 cars, 99 passengers and 15 crew on board.

The train suffered minimal front-end damage and was able to continue its trip after release.

Fletcher Fish Camp Road was closed at the railroad crossing for approximately three hours during the investigation. The train was delayed for several hours.

No one on the train was injured as a result of the crash.

Next-generation console release date announced for PS5

Ocala Post

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October 8, 2019

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Next-generation console release date announced for PS5

Since Sony originally unveiled their next-generation console in April, they know that there’s been a lot of excitement and interest in hearing more about what the future of games will bring.

On Tuesday, President & CEO, SIE, Jim Ryan, said, “I’m proud to share that our next-generation console will be called PlayStation 5, and we’ll be launching in time for Holiday 2020.”

These updates may not be a huge surprise, but Ryan wanted to confirm them for the PlayStation fans, as they start to reveal additional details about the vision for the next generation. WIRED magazine covered these updates and more in a story that posted this morning.

“The “more” refers to something I’m quite excited about – a preview of the new controller that will ship with PlayStation 5. One of our goals with the next generation is to deepen the feeling of immersion when you play games, and we had the opportunity with our new controller to reimagine how the sense of touch can add to that immersion,” said Ryan.

To that end, there are two key innovations with the PlayStation 5’s new controller. First, they are adopting haptic feedback to replace the “rumble” technology found in controllers since the 5th generation of consoles. With haptics, a player truly feels a broader range of feedback, so crashing into a wall in a race car feels much different than making a tackle on the football field. A player can even get a sense of a variety of textures when running through fields of grass or plodding through mud.

The second innovation is something they call adaptive triggers, which have been incorporated into the trigger buttons (L2/R2). Developers can program the resistance of the triggers so that a player feels the tactile sensation of drawing a bow and arrow or accelerating an off-road vehicle through rocky terrain. In combination with the haptics, this can produce a powerful experience that better simulates various actions. Game creators have started to receive early versions of the new controller, and Ryan said they can’t wait to see where their imagination goes with these new features at their disposal.

While there’s much more to share about PlayStation 5 in the year ahead, they have plenty of blockbuster experiences coming to users way on PS4, including Death Stranding, The Last of Us Part II, and Ghost of Tsushima. I’d like to thank all PlayStation fans for continuing the journey with us, as we embark on the future of games.

Children were murdered after their mother, additional charges filed

Ocala Post

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October 7, 2019

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Children were murdered after their mother, additional charges filed

casie jones, murder, homicide, ocala news — Casie Jones, and her children found deceased

Summerfield, Florida — New information shows that Michael Jones, 38, murdered his wife at their home, located at 14680 SE 68th Ter., Summerfield, and killed the children at a later time.

Casie Jones, 32, was murdered by her husband on July 10. Sources say the two were arguing when Casie grabbed a baseball bat. Michael reportedly snatched the bat from her and bludgeoned her to death with it.

The Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed that Casie died from blunt force trauma.

On July 11, Michael strangled his two oldest children to death.

According to investigators, two weeks later, Michael drowned his two youngest children.

Michael left all four bodies in the Summerfield home for several weeks. Two weeks before he was captured, he had transferred the bodies to his van and drove to Brantley County, Georgia.

Michael drove around with the bodies in his vehicle for weeks before dumping the bodies of the children.

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Casie was reported missing by her family on September 14. They said they had not seen her for six weeks.

According to reports, when officials went to Casie’s Summerfield home to perform a well-being check, they could smell decomposition in the house. However, the house was empty.

Investigators quickly named Micheal as the number one suspect.

An arrest warrant was issued for Michael a short time later. He was located after he was involved in a traffic crash in Brantley County, Georgia.

At the scene of the crash, it was determined that Michael had his wife’s body in his vehicle.

Sources say that Michael led investigators to where he had dumped the bodies of the children; Cameron, 10, Preston, 5, Mercallie, 2, and Aiyana, 1.

On Monday, October 7, Michael was charged with four counts of First-Degree Homicide/Murder for the deaths of the children.

Michael was previously charged with one count of Second-Degree Homicide/Murder for the death of his wife.

The state plans to seek the death penalty.

New information in camel story that is just nuts, woman “camel toed,” sat on

Ocala Post

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October 4, 2019

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New information in camel story that is just nuts, woman “camel toed,” sat on

The Florida couple, Edmond and Gloria Lancaster, who visited a truck top petting zoo have been charged with Criminal Trespassing and Violation of Leash Laws.

Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office officials said, after watching a truck stop surveillance video, the couple’s story just didn’t add up.

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woman bites camel, woman bites testicles, florida woman, ocala news — Gloria Lancaster (left)

On September 18, the couple visited the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, La. They stopped to visit with a camel.

During the visit, Gloria crawled under the barbwire fence of the camel’s enclosure. While inside the enclosure, the camel allegedly stepped on her and then sat on the woman, rear-end to face, and those were not circus balls.

Gloria told deputies that in order to escape death, she had to bite the camel’s testicles.

“God will always make a way,” said Gloria.

At the scene, Edmond claimed that he and his wife were simply visiting the camel with their small dog when the camel reached under a barbed wire fence and “snatched up the dog.” The couple told deputies that the camel bit the dog, ripping hair from its back, and then tossed him.

Gloria said, “I did not have a choice but to crawl under the fence and save my dog.”

Deputies say that the couple claims that Gloria suffered abdominal injuries, as well as injuries to her shoulder, right arm, neck, and head due to the camel sitting on her.

In the police report, the couple claimed that the camel was the aggressor.

However, deputies say that Gloria was walking around and seemed fine after the incident.

Sheriff Brett Stassi said not only was the woman walking around as if nothing had happened, but she smoked a cigarette after she had a mouth full of camel.

Stassi said that his agency reviewed the surveillance video supplied by truck stop manager, Pamela Bossier, and that, the video told a completely different story. He said that is why his agency chose to charge the couple. The agency decided against charging Gloria with animal abuse.

In a new report, Stassi stated that his deputies found several dog treats inside the camel’s enclosure.

He said the video shows that the dog ran inside the enclosure, probably to get treats that the couple was tossing over the fence.

“She invaded the camel’s space,” said Stassi.

The camel’s name has been withheld to protect his identity.

Ocala Thriller 2019, vendors and dancers wanted

Ocala Post

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October 3, 2019

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Ocala, Florida — Ocala Thriller 2019, formally known as Thrill the World Ocala, is back for its ninth year this October which will take place on Saturday, October 12, from 5 p.m.- 10 p.m. on the Downtown Square.

This is Ocala’s Biggest Fall Festival and you won’t want to miss it and is being sponsored by Extensions Dance Studio and Just Entertainment, Inc.

Ocala Thriller is an annual attempt where zombies get together and try to break Ocala’s record by dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller on the Downtown Square. Every year thousands of attendees take part in this event which includes over 130 vendors, food trucks, bounce houses, haunted houses, dance parties, vendor trick-or-treating, and of course, the Thriller Dance.

Extensions Dance Studio and Just Entertainment, Inc. are currently looking for zombie dancers to help break Ocala’s record, which was set in 2014. Pre-registration is $5 per dancing zombie and includes two rehearsals at Extensions Dance Studio, located at 1601 Northeast 25th Ave, #201, Ocala. The rehearsal dates are Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10, at 6:45 p.m.

For those who do not pre-register, that’s okay too. On the night of the event, participants can register for $7.00 at the sign-in table. Each dancer will be required to have an armband. There is no age limit and no dance experience is necessary. The young and the young at heart are encouraged to attend and have a great time dancing.

Looking to be a vendor? There are only five spots left.

For more information on vendor availability, or to pre-register as a dancer, contact Sue Ramunno here.

Thrill The World 2015 Event with a mega photo gallery.

Drug dealer, Marion County woman, and others arrested

Ocala Post

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October 3, 2019

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Drug dealer, Marion County woman, and others arrested

Citrus County Deputies Richardson and Garrison Thursday night conducted a traffic stop on a black trailblazer that had a headlight out.

According to reports, when the vehicle came to a stop on Rosedale and Pershing Drive, the passenger Joseph Monti was found to have an active Citrus County warrant.

Upon searching Monti, deputies discovered that he was carrying 32.6 grams of methamphetamine in his pocket.

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Monti told deputies that he is a dealer and sells the drugs.

Deputies also discovered syringes, a spoon, and other drug paraphernalia.

The driver of the vehicle, Patricia Bradley, was arrested for possession of 5 grams of methamphetamine.

Additionally, deputies arrested the back seat passager, Elizabeth House, on a Marion County warrant for Possession of Heroin and Possession of Suboxone, along with her girlfriend, Jessica Yates, for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Couple used life savings to purchase property, hit with lien from county, community helps out

Ocala Post

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October 3, 2019

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Couple used life savings to purchase property, hit with lien from county, community helps out

After seeing an auction for a Marion County property listed by America’s Auction Network (AANtv), Howard and Candy Neuner decided to purchase it.

The couple used their life savings to purchase the property and relocate to Marion County from Kentucky.

Howard said he wanted to move to the area to be closer to one of his children who has a mental impairment since the age of 16.

According to records, in 2004, Marion County paid to have the property cleaned up. The county then put a lien on the property. The lien was for more than $7,000 (including interest).

In December of 2014, the property, with the lien still attached, was sold to AANtv Realty. In 2017, the company sold it to the Neuners. The company did not clear the lien and did not disclose the information to the buyers.

A search shows the company, AANtv, has had hundreds of complaints launched against them. One complaint noted the company as “deceptive thieves.”

Howard and Candy have been trying to get the issue on their property resolved ever since relocating to Marion County.

At a public meeting on Tuesday, commissioners agreed to reduce the lien from $7,329.61 to $2,856.51. Commissioners stated that the more than $2,000 must be paid because that was “hard money,” or taxpayer monies, used to clean up the property. Commissioners said the money had to be repaid in order to reimburse taxpayers.

Commissioners then welcomed the couple to Marion County.

Commissioner Kathy Bryant said in the meeting that she feels the company who sold the property committed fraud.

Howard said that since he used his nest egg, and is on a fixed income, he doesn’t know how he will pay the lien off.

Giving the circumstances, Ocala Post, a subsidiary of Jaguar Media Holdings, LLC, made the decision to handle donations for the Neuner family. The proceeds will be used to pay off the abatement lien of $2,856.51 and will be paid directly to the county.

We want to hear from you. What do you think about the county’s decision?

If you wish to donate, you can do so below.

Woman tried to kill her kids, claims husband “hexed” her

Ocala Post

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October 3, 2019

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Ocala — A Lake City woman says she attempted to kill her four children — ages 6 to 13 — because her husband “put a hex” on her.

Ocala Fire Rescue Engine 7, Rescue 2, Tower 1, a safety officer and Battalion Chief 11 arrived to find a Pontiac minivan with severe front-end damage and multiple occupants in need of medical attention.

Calica Williams, 36, is now facing four counts of attempted murder.

Ocala police say that on Wednesday, Williams purposely crashed her minivan in an attempt to kill her children.

According to OPD, the van was traveling on SE 31st Street when it crossed a median and slammed into a palm tree.

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According to the arrest affidavit, Williams told the children to take off their seatbelts and stretch out their hands.

Williams then told the children, “The devil can’t hurt you, he only hurts bad people. You have the light of Jesus in you and only Jesus can cure us.”

She then slammed the minivan into a palm tree.

Witnesses told police that the van was traveling at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the tree.

Williams and three of the children were taken to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. The other child was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center.

The condition of the children is unknown at this time.

Precautionary boil water notice, lifted

Ocala Post

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October 3, 2019

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Marion County Utilities has rescinded a precautionary boil water notice for 75 customers in the Edgewater community and 114 customers in the Wineberry community, which was due to a water main line repair.

According to a press release, satisfactory completion of the required bacteriological survey shows the water is safe to drink.

Customers with questions should contact Utilities at 352-307-6000.

Temporary lane closures along Buena Vista Boulevard

Ocala Post

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October 2, 2019

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Motorists traveling in southeastern Marion County will experience the following temporary lane closures along Buena Vista Boulevard.

The closures are necessary so crews can landscape the medians.

The closures are as follows:

Oct. 1: Buena Vista Boulevard at the intersection of Southeast 165th Mulberry Lane, The Villages, from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 2: Buena Vista Boulevard at the intersection of Southeast 172nd Legacy Lane, The Villages, from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 8: Buena Vista Boulevard at the intersection of Southeast 86th Street Belle Meade Circle, The Villages, from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 9: Buena Vista Boulevard at the intersection of Southeast 82nd Calumet Avenue, The Villages, from 6:30 a.m. to noon.
Oct. 9: Buena Vista Boulevard at the entrance of the Nancy Lopez Club House, The Villages, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Crews will place barricades and signage to direct traffic through detours and the work zone while work is being performed.

Please note that work 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.

Use extra caution during rainy weather.

Six additional recreational red snapper fishing days, Gulf waters

Ocala Post

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October 1, 2019

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Six additional recreational red snapper fishing days, Gulf waters

snapper, red snapper, ocala news, fishing — FWC photo by Thomas Vatter

Tuesday, October 1, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced six additional recreational red snapper fishing days for Gulf waters. The season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations will be open on the following Saturdays and Sundays: October 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27.

“Florida is the fishing capital of the world thanks to our pristine natural resources and an abundance of fisheries, including red snapper,” said Governor DeSantis. “FWC has shown that this fishery is sustainable, so we are happy to provide these additional recreational fishing days to anglers.”

“These additional days would not be possible without the Gulf Reef Fish Survey,” said FWC Chairman Robert Spottswood. “Thank you to every angler who has taken the time to return surveys, talk to staff and participate in this program. Innovative data collection is opening doors and allowing unprecedented management opportunities for Florida, benefitting Gulf anglers.”

Private recreational anglers may harvest red snapper in Gulf state and federal waters. However, state for-hire operations are limited to fishing for red snapper in Gulf state waters only.

About the Gulf Reef Fish Survey

The Gulf Reef Fish Survey was developed specifically to provide more robust data for the management of red snapper and other important reef fish and has allowed FWC the unprecedented opportunity to manage Gulf red snapper in state and federal waters. All anglers fishing from private recreational vessels must sign up annually as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler to target red snapper and several other reef fish in Gulf state and federal waters (excluding Monroe County), even if they are exempt from fishing license requirements. Sign up as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler at no cost at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or by visiting any location you can purchase a license. Gulf Reef Fish Anglers may receive a questionnaire in the mail regarding their reef fish trips as part of Florida’s Gulf Reef Fish Survey. If you receive a survey, please respond whether you fished this season or not.

New law for handheld devices in school and construction zones

Ocala Post

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October 1, 2019

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New law for handheld devices in school and construction zones

As of Tuesday, October 1, using your phone is a school or construction zone is illegal.

Texting and driving are already illegal in Florida. That law went in to affect earlier this year.

As for construction and school zones, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Kim Montes said, “Law enforcement agencies across the state won’t start issuing tickets until Jan. 1. Until then, warnings will be issued.”

On January 1, 2020, violations will punishable as a moving violation and three points will be assessed against a person’s driver’s license.

Drivers are urged to use handsfree devices only.

According to Florida’s Supreme Court, a law enforcement officer cannot request to see your phone without a warrant. If an officer does not obtain a warrant but issues a citation based on texts he read on your phone, the citation could be dismissed and the officer could be disciplined. However, there are circumstances in which an officer could possibly look through a driver’s phone, such as an accident involving serious injury or death.

Mother was allegedly bludgeoned with baseball bat

Ocala Post

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September 30, 2019

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Mother was allegedly bludgeoned with baseball bat

Summerfield, Florida — A mother who was killed with her four young children was allegedly beaten to death with a baseball bat.

Inside sources say that Casie’s husband, Michael Jones, 38, admitted that on July 10, he was arguing with his wife, Casie Jones, 32, and that during the argument, she picked up a baseball bat.

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Michael allegedly took the bat from Casie and bludgeoned her to death with it.

The Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed that Casie died from blunt force trauma.

Casie was reported missing by her family on September 14. They said they had not seen her for six weeks.

According to reports, when officials went to Casie’s Summerfield home to perform a well-being check, they could smell decomposition in the house. However, the house was empty.

Investigators quickly named Micheal as the number one suspect.

An arrest warrant was issued for Michael a short time later. He was located after he was involved in a traffic crash in Brantley County, Georgia.

At the scene of the crash, it was determined that Michael had his wife’s body in his vehicle.

Sources say that Michael led investigators to where he had dumped the bodies of the children; Cameron, 10, Preston, 5, Mercallie, 2, and Aiyana, 1.

The family had been killed weeks earlier. It is believed that Michael drove around with the bodies in his vehicle for weeks before dumping the bodies of children.

Michael was charged with Second-Degree Murder.

The State Attorney’s Office is still working on the charges against Michael involving the four children.

Precautionary boil water notice issued for Marion community

Ocala Post

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September 30, 2019

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Precautionary boil water notice issued for Marion community

Marion County Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice for 75 customers in the Edgewater community and 114 customers in the Wineberry community due to a water main line repair.

Residents are being notified via interactive community notification calls, media release and social media. Marion County Utilities advises that all water used for brushing teeth, cooking, drinking, making ice or washing dishes be brought to a rapid boil for at least one minute before use. As an alternative, residents may opt to use bottled water. Water used for laundry, bathing and/or showering does not need to be boiled.

This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey is performed and shows that the water is safe to drink. Utilities will test the water and notify customers by door tag, interactive community notification calls, media release, and social media when the precautionary boil water notice is lifted. Customers with questions should contact Utilities’ customer service at 352-307-6000.

Rumor Control: No active shooter at Marion school

Ocala Post

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September 30, 2019

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A woman who was shopping at the Marion Oaks Winn-Dixie Monday started a rumor by telling customers that Howard Middle School had an active shooter situation and that, the school was being swarmed by police.

After receiving an email stating this fact, Ocala Post immediately reached out to the Ocala Police Department.

OPD Public Information Officer, Corie Byrd, Said, “There was never an active shooter situation at Howard Middle School. This was hearsay and the references of a shooter were based on rumors. A call went out to OPD as a suspicious person. The scene was cleared and there was no threat.”

The woman who started the rumor is not known.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy fired, arrested

Ocala Post

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September 26, 2019

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Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy fired, arrested

Submitted photo-Deputy Jaime Lopez- Arrested

A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy, who was allegedly in the FTO program, was fired after he was arrested for domestic battery.

Jaime Lopez, 22, was arrested Tuesday following reports that he, on several occasions, physically abused and threatened a woman, 21, who he had previously been romantically involved with.

In an email to Ocala Post, it is described how Lopez frequently choked the woman and was mentally and verbally abusive. During one incident, Lopez punched and spat in the woman’s face. In 2018, during an argument, Lopez snatched her by the arm and violently slammed her into a concrete wall. The woman said that she was knocked unconscious during the incident.

Lopez would apparently always apologize but abuse her again following his apology.

The woman said Lopez became more violent and began stalking her after she broke it off with him.

At one point during his employment, Lopez used his department-issued computer to track down the woman.

According to those close to Lopez, he has “always been a hothead.” Ocala Post was told that the joke amongst his peers was; “he will be fired as fast as he is hired.”

Despite the fact that former Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the Attorney General before her, has stated that the F.S. Statute regarding concealing or protecting the identity of an officer only pertains to his or her employment, and not after they have been arrested, MCSO refuses to provide booking photos for any deputy arrested.

Lopez and the woman had previously been married.

Lopez was arrested charged with Domestic Battery by Strangulation. He was released on a $5,000 bond.

Lopez was hired on with MCSO in June of 2019.

The woman says that MCSO has assured her that Lopez will never again work in law enforcement.

Hurricane make-up days announced for Marion students and staff

Ocala Post

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September 25, 2019

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Hurricane make-up days announced for Marion students and staff

Marion County –Marion County Public Schools canceled two days of classes during Hurricane Dorian preparations.

On Wednesday, the district announced the following calendar changes to make up those two days (Sept. 3-4):

October 15 – becomes a FULL DAY of school. Previously, this was a Teacher In-Service Day.
December 11 – becomes a FULL DAY of school. Previously, this was an Early Release Day.
December 20 – becomes an EARLY RELEASE DAY of school. Previously, all schools and the entire district were closed this day.

Recognizing some families have already made other plans, the revised days can be excused absence days if requested by students/parents/families.

District hourly-wage employees who missed these two days of work will make up the time based on the above-mentioned changes.

Marion County School Board members provided consensus for this make-up plan and are expected to formally approve it during their regularly-scheduled October 8 meeting.

Ocala Recreation and Parks hosts gunsmithing event

Ocala Post

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September 25, 2019

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Ocala Recreation and Parks hosts gunsmithing event

Do you find the art of gunsmithing fascinating?

Join Dale the gun maker on November 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and learn how to make a rifle from a piece of wood.

Additionally, Dale will be having a lecture and demonstration, in which he will teach the history of Florida arms.

The event will be held at the Fort King National Historic Landmark.

There will also be a live firing included in the demonstration.

The event is free and open to all residents.

Five suspects captured following car chase and foot pursuit

Ocala Post

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September 25, 2019

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Ocala, Florida — Five felons who have committed multiple burglaries in the Tampa area lead law enforcement officials on a chase Wednesday, which ended in Marion County.

A Sumter County deputy spotted the five males driving a dark SUV on Interstate 75 and chased the vehicle into Marion County.

Ocala police said the vehicle crashed on State Road 40 near the I-75 onramp, at which time the five males exited the SUV and fled on foot.

They were captured a short time later.

Law enforcement officials from Tampa came to Marion County to interrogate the five suspects. No names have been released at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

Amateur video recorded by Chino Reyna

School board, spending more than $40,000 for bat removal and prevention

Ocala Post

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September 25, 2019

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Belleview, Florida — The Marion County School Board hired a pest control company and will need to pay an additional $18,000 on top of the $30,000 already spent to remove bats from Belleview High School.

The bats began congregating at the school in August.

According to officials, the additional $18,000 is needed to seal the buildings in order to prevent future bat infestations.

School officials said thousands of bats made the school their new home and that, the smell of ammonia and bat droppings was overwhelming.

Marion County Public Schools Public Relations Director, Kevin Christian, said, “Getting people out of the building where the odor was the big thing. We don’t want to put people in harm’s way, so we were able to relocate them elsewhere on campus for a few days, for a few weeks. Now people are back in the building, no issue at all.”

According to FWC, the species of bat are protected and cannot be killed.

Schools officials say that a portion of the $18,000 will be used to build “bat houses.”

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth

Ocala PostOcala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth