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    Firefighter who drove around stopped school bus will be ticketed

    [Video courtesy of Shannon Guinther]

    Ocala, Florida — On the morning of August 20, while waiting at the bus stop with his son, Shannon Guinther recorded a video of an impatient man driving around a school bus that had just boarded children in the 4000 block of 314A at Northeast 38th Lane Road. The bus’s stop arm was still deployed. The street is also a no passing zone.

    As the man in the SUV drove by, parents began expressing their frustration toward the man.

    The man, apparently referring to the school bus, replied, “If you all had a job, you wouldn’t f***ing need it.”

    He then drove off as if nothing happened.

    Guinther called the Marion County Sheriff’s Office from the scene, however, MCSO said that they could not do anything because they did not witness the incident.

    At approximately 10 p.m., on the same day, following outrage from multiple parents, MCSO responded to Guinther’s home and took a written statement from him. MCSO also interviewed other parents present during the incident.

    On August 21, MCSO stated that it was not a deputy, but rather the communications center that told Guinther that there was nothing that could be done about the driver going around the bus.

    Tuesday, MCSO told Guinther that because of the video evidence, which allowed deputies to positively identify the driver as Marion County firefighter, Lieutenant Steve Maculewicz, he will be issued a moving citation.

    The MCSO later confirmed that Maculewicz received a citation for Driving Around a Stopped School bus, which will cost him $271.00 and four points on his license.

    Guinther will keep the original copy of the video on his cell phone in case Maculewicz attempts to fight the citation in court.

    However, Maculewicz told the MCSO that he would not contest the citation in court, but he might enroll in a driver improvement course to have the points removed from his license.

    From the beginning, parents have maintained that a citation would not be punishment enough, and have demanded Maculewicz be terminated from his position as a firefighter.

    MCFR is still investigating.

    You can read the original article here.

    Man solicited undercover officer for sex

    backpage, prostitution, ocala news, marion county news, op, ocala post, escorts, udest
    Joseph Moseley

    Ocala, Florida — On August 21, members of the United Drug Enforcement Strike Team arrested Joseph A. Moseley, 22, for Solicitation of Prostitution.

    An undercover officer, who was posing as an escort on backpage.com, was contacted by Moseley via telephone.

    Moseley arranged to meet the undercover officer at a motel in the 3800 block of Southwest College Road, Ocala.

    According to reports, Moseley engaged in conversation with the undercover officer and offered her $60.00 in return for a half-hour of vaginal sex.

    Moseley was immediately arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail without incident.

    He was released on a $1,000 bond.

    Sex offenders allowed to live next to schools

     

    sex offenders and school, ocala, ocala post, marion county

    Marion County — In the state of Florida, all sex offenders are forbidden to live within 1,000 feet of any school, daycare or park, or so the state would like to have residents believe.

    The state law governing where sex offenders can live was passed in October of 2004. According to FDLE, however, any sex offender who was convicted prior to the law being passed is exempt from the law, therefore allowing any sex offender who lives near a school to remain there.

    What You Should Know

    While citizens are required to follow every law made by man, it seems as though state and government officials can pick and choose which laws they follow. Example: Officials who approve locations for where schools will be built said they are not required to scan an area for sex offenders who have committed sex crimes against children. School officials do not even attempt to check the sex offender data base, not even out of respect for children or parents.

    If a location has been chosen for a school to be built and the plans are approved before it is determined a sex offender lives next door, that sex offender cannot be required to move because they have not broken any laws. Sex offenders living near a school that is being built cannot be forced out or bought out of their homes, according to FDLE officials. Essentially, this is putting every child in said school at risk.

    The double standard also applies to liquor stores.

    State law forbids liquor stores to be built near schools or churches, however, in 2014 Marion County Commissioners voted against the state law and allowed a liquor store to be built right next door to a church.

    In summary, many officials are overlooking the laws that were meant to protect our children.

    Walmart cashier played dumb after stealing from customer

    walmart, theft, walmart cashier, ocala news, marion county news, grand theft
    Markeisha Burwell

    Ocala, Florida — On Saturday, Marion County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Walmart located at 9570 Southwest Highway 200, in reference to a theft.

    The victim told the deputy that as she was attempting to make a purchase, she had handed her Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to the cashier to redeem points to apply toward her purchase.

    According to reports, the cashier, Markeisha L. Burwell, 22, could not figure out how to redeem the points using the phone, so, she called a customer service manager.

    After the transaction was complete, the victim walked out of the store and forgot her phone.

    The victim told the deputy that she did not realize it was missing until she got home.

    The victim then returned to the store and notified management and loss prevention.

    Security footage showed that Burwell concealed the phone after the victim left the store. The cashier then clocked out and went on break.

    When the deputy made contact with Burwell and asked about the phone, Burwell replied, “I’m not sure if I have the phone, but if I did, it would be in my car.”

    Burwell was then escorted to her vehicle, at which time she pulled the phone out from under her front seat.

    Burwell told the deputy, “I have it.”

    An inspection of the phone revealed that Burwell had deleted all of the victim’s photos and changed all of the contacts to her own.

    She was arrested and charged with Grand Theft over $300, which is a felony. The value of the phone was estimated to be between $500 to $600.

    Burwell was released from jail on a $2,000 bond.

    Girl involved in 2 hit-and-run crashes allegedly thought it was funny

    dui, drunk teen, ocala news, hit and run, marion county news
    Ciara Alonso

    Ocala, Florida — A girl, who a witness says was dancing and laughing after she stuck his vehicle and fled, is now behind bars.

    Police say Ciara L. Alonso, 18, was behind the wheel of a Ford Taurus when she struck the rear of a Chevy Silverado on East Fort King Street and kept going.

    The driver of the Silverado, Richard Coming, stated that he was sitting stationary facing west on East Fort King Street waiting for the light to turn green. While waiting for the light, he was looking into his rear-view mirror and saw a vehicle approaching at a high rate of speed.

    The vehicle’s speed was estimated to be 60 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.

    Coming said that he removed his foot from the brake because he didn’t think the vehicle was going to stop.

    According to reports, at the last minute Alonso made an abrupt turn, but was unable to avoid striking the Silverado. Police said Alonso struck the left rear of the truck, ran the red light, and fled the scene.

    Coming then followed the vehicle to the intersection of East Fort King Street and 25th Avenue and took down the vehicle’s license plate number.

    Coming told police that when he got close to the vehicle he could see two young females “singing and dancing around in their seats.”

    Coming called police and a BOLO was issued for the vehicle.

    In the meantime, Ocala police responded to the registered owner’s address and found a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy already at the scene investigating a domestic battery case.

    According to the MCSO, Alonso’s family had tried to talk to her about her underage drinking.

    The victim involved in the domestic battery told the deputy that Alonso began to argue and ran out into the front yard. The victim said that Alonso then got into the driver seat and Alonso’s friend, Shelby Hunley, got into the passenger seat.

    According to reports, because Alonso was heavily intoxicated, the victim attempted to take the keys from her, but she punched the victim in the face several times.

    Alonso then “threw” the vehicle into reverse and hit a parked vehicle as she attempted to back up the car. She then fled the scene.

    The accident with the Silverado occurred a short time later.

    The next morning, Ocala Police found the heavily damaged Taurus parked in front of a house on Watula Avenue.

    The officer knocked on the door to the residence, and when a male opened the door, the officer saw Alonso on a mattress in the middle of the floor. When Alonso saw the officer, she immediately asked, “Am I going to jail?”

    Alonso was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

    She denied having a passenger in the car with her.

    Alonso was charged Domestic Battery and Hit-and-Run – Leave the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage (x2).

    Alonso is scheduled for arraignment on September 2.

    Ocala resident, University of Central Florida student missing & endangered

    Mikanzis Shawn Spinella, missing, florida, endangered,
    Mikanzis Shawn Spinella

    Ocala, Florida — Mikanzis Shawn Spinella, 19, left his home at approximately 2:30 p.m. on August 22, 2015.

    Before leaving, Spinella told his family members that he would be back home shortly to pack his belongings to return to school at the University of Central Florida.

    Spinella drove off in a 1998 white 4-door Oldsmobile Eighty Eight. The vehicle’s Florida license plate number is CPCR43.

    Mikanzis was last seen wearing a gray short sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black suede shoes.

    Spinella is considered missing an endangered due to the fact that there has been no communication from him for an extended period of time.

    If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call 911.

    Aggravated assault outside Cowboys Saloon

    0

    Jeff Langley, cowboys saloon, ocala news, marion county news, bar fights, drunks,
    Jeff Langley

    Ocala, Florida — A Leesburg man was released from jail on a $5,000 bond after he assaulted a man at a local bar.

    On Saturday, Ocala police responded to Cowboys Saloon, located at 718 South Pine Avenue, in reference to an assault.

    Upon arrival, police made contact with Jeff Langley, 28. Langley told police that he was talking with his friend, Lauren Hatcher, when Hatcher’s ex-boyfriend engaged in a verbal altercation with him.

    According to reports, Langley told police that Hatcher’s ex-boyfriend tried to punch him, but he dodged it.

    Langley stated that he did punch the man back, but that he did it out of self-defense.

    Hatcher told police that while she and Langley were inside Cowboy’s Saloon having a good time, her ex-boyfriend approached them and started an argument.

    Hatcher said that she believed it was because her ex-boyfriend was jealous that she was talking to Langley.

    According to reports, Hatcher and Langley left the bar early because Langley and Hatcher’s ex-boyfriend kept getting into verbal altercations.

    Hatcher told police that Langley had walked her to her vehicle when her ex-boyfriend approached her.

    Hatcher said it was at that time that Langley walked over and began to punch her ex-boyfriend in the face, knocking him down to the ground.

    Police said that while the victim was on the ground, Langley got on top of him and repeatedly punched the victim in the face until he was unconscious.

    An unidentified female then ran over and began to hit Langley in an attempt to get him off the victim.

    Witnesses corroborated Hatcher’s account of events, and stated that it was Langley who engaged the victim outside.

    Police said there was a pool of blood on the ground where Langley had beaten the victim.

    Langley was charged with Aggravated Battery and transported to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

    Traffic crash at 326 and 441


    accident at 441 and 326, ocala news, marion county news

    A Hawthorne woman was cited for careless driving following a crash at the intersection of U.S. 441 and State Road 326 on Friday.

    According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2002 Chevy TrailBlazer, driven by Amber Castor, 41, was traveling north on U.S. 441 in the outside lane as it approached the intersection of State Road 326.

    A 2007 Volvo dump truck, driven by Shazad Mohamed Jobe, 46, was traveling south on U.S 441 in the left turn lane.

    As the dump truck attempted to turn left at the green arrow to go east on State Road 326, the TrailBlazer ran a red light and slammed into the front right of the dump truck.

    According to FHP, the dump truck was carrying a full load of rocks at the time of the accident.

    No injuries were reported.

    Dumb criminals: Felon taunts deputies on Facebook and gets arrested

    facebook, polk county news, ocala post, ocala news, op, dumb criminals, felon, man taunted police
    Logan “Finallyfree” Hale

    Lakeland, Florida — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man who taunted Sheriff Grady Judd and his deputies on Facebook.

    On August 20, Northwest District Patrol deputies arrested 21-year-old Logan Hale, who had a Polk County warrant for his arrest for Armed Burglary, Grand Theft of a Firearm, Giving False Info to Pawn Broker, and Dealing in Stolen Property.

    According to reports, Hale’s warrant was issued on August 13, after deputies positively identified Hale and his accomplice, Tyler Thornton, in an August 3rd armed burglary. During the burglary, the two stole a shotgun and several other items, some of which were later pawned.

    On August 13, photos of both suspects were posted on the PCSO Facebook page. Thornton was taken into custody on August 14, 2015. Hale remained at large.

    The PCSO then posted a wanted poster of Hale to their Facebook page.

    On August 18, Hale, whose Facebook name is Logan “Finallyfree” Hale, took to the PCSO Facebook page and responded to the wanted poster.

    Hale wrote, “HELLO here I am.”

    The PCSO then replied, “You would be wise to turn yourself in.”

    The PCSO later tagged Hale in a Facebook post and wrote, “Remaining ‘at large’ is only going to result in your having to change your FB name from ‘Finallyfree’ to ‘Back In Jail’ – it would be wise for you to turn yourself in to the nearest PCSO facility. Or give us a call – we’ll be happy to provide transportation. 863-298-6200.”

    Article continued below

    polk county, ocal anews, op, ocala post, polk county news, grady judd, dumb criminals

    Using various investigative tools, deputies tracked Hale to a residence located at 1347 East Lake Parker Drive, Lakeland. Deputies responded to the residence several times, but the residents of the home claimed Hale was not inside the house.

    On Thursday afternoon, deputies again responded to the home. One of the residents, Lauren Hemness, would not allow deputies to search her bedroom. Later the same day, PCSO received information that Hale was inside the residence at the time, but had gone to an unknown location.

    Deputies responded back to the East Lake Parker Drive home where they spoke with Hemness and Julianna Lawrence. Both women told deputies that Hale was there earlier when the deputies came looking for him and that they had denied knowledge of his whereabouts and hid him in the bedroom. Lawrence told deputies she later drove Hale to an unknown house.

    Article continued below

    op, ocala post, ocala news, polk county news, sheriff grady judd, felon
    Lauren Hemness [left] and Julianna Lawrence
    Around 5:00 p.m. two PCSO deputy sheriffs who were actively searching for Hale saw him in the passenger seat of a vehicle driving on Wildwood Drive in Lakeland. The vehicle was stopped and Hale was taken into custody without incident.

    According to Hale’s family, he was planning on turning himself in, but deputies spotted him before he was able to do so.

    Sheriff Grady Judd said, “Logan Hale, you are on your way to jail. Your attempts to hide were to no avail. Maybe you’ll make bail. Either way, your Facebook taunts were an ‘epic fail.'”

    Deputies also arrested Hemness, 24, and Lawrence, 26. They were charged with Giving False Information to Law Enforcement and Interfering with an Investigation.

    Hale had just been released from prison.

    Ocala teen has been missing for 16 days


    Ocala, Florida — Victoria Edwards, 14, who was last seen at her home on August 4, 2015, at approximately 11 p.m is still missing.

    She said goodnight to her twin sister, packed a back-pack full of clothes, and left a letter for her family informing them that she was running away.

    Victoria has blue eyes and brown hair. She is 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs approximately 119 pounds.

    Since Victoria has not been seen or heard from for 16 days, her family and officials are concerned for her safety.

    If anyone knows of Victoria’s whereabouts, please call 911.

    Victoria Edwards, missing teen, florida, ocala news, op, marion county news, missing child in ocala,
    Victoria Edwards

    Video: Man drives around school bus, tells parents to “get a f***ing job”

    [WARNING: Contains adult language. Video courtesy of Shannon Guinther]

    [Last updated on August 21, 2015, at 2:40 p.m.]

    Silver Springs, Florida — At approximately 10 p.m. Thursday night, following outrage from multiple parents, MCSO responded to Guinther’s home and took a written statement from him. MCSO also plans to interview other parents present during the incident.

    According to residents, a deputy was stationed at the bus stop Friday morning.

    MCSO has stated that it was not a deputy, but rather the communications center that told Guinther that there was nothing that could be done about the driver going around the bus.

    The driver of the SUV has been positively identified as Marion County firefighter, Lieutenant Steve Maculewicz, who reportedly works for the Fort McCoy station.

    MCFR told Ocala Post that they are cooperating with the MCSO investigation.

    After all witness statements and facts have been gathered, the case will be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office, at which time they will decide how to proceed.

    Updates will follow.

    ORIGINAL ARTICLE

    Some drivers seem to have lost all common sense when it comes to school buses and the laws that must be followed when stopping for a school bus.

    On the morning of August 20, while waiting at the bus stop with his son, Shannon Guinther recorded a video of an impatient man driving around a school bus that had just boarded children at 314A North at Northeast 38th Lane Road. The bus’s stop arm was still deployed. The street is also a no passing zone.

    As the man in the SUV drove by, parents began expressing their frustration toward the man.

    The man, apparently referring to the school bus, replied, “If you all had a job, you wouldn’t f***ing need it.”

    He then drove off as if nothing happened.

    “I am a single father, I work full time, and coach football,” Guinther said. “The statement that this guy made to parents just showed his lack of class and showed that he has a sense of entitlement. Not everyone standing at a bus stop in the morning is unemployed or living off of the ‘system.'”

    Guinther called the Marion County Sheriff’s Office from the scene, however, MCSO said that they could not do anything because they did not witness the incident.

    Guinther asked, “How can tickets from red light cameras be enforced, but you cannot use an unedited video and witness statements for an incident like this?”

    Ocala Post reached out to MCSO, but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.

    “If law enforcement cannot do anything with the video I recorded, then they should not be able to use photos from red light cameras,” Guinther said.

    Guinther said, “What is most upsetting about the video is that the guy clearly does not care about the safety of the children. He only cares about his personal needs.”

    Guinther told Ocala Post that he takes this situation extremely personally.

    “I, and many of my family members, work with kids every day; I take child safety very personally,” Guinther said.

    He asked, “What if a child had decided at the last minute to hug his or her parent and ‘darted’ back across the street? These are small children we are talking about here…it could happen.”

    He added, “If the driver had hit one of the children, that man would not have left that bus stop.”

    Residents identified the man in the video as Marion County firefighter, Steve Maculewicz. However, Marion County Fire Rescue could not confirm that the driver in the video is actually a MCFR employee.

    Firefighter’s house burnt down; neighbor saved his two dogs

    firefighter, ocala news, marion county news, ocala post, op, firefighters house burned down, MCFR, marion county fire rescue
    Bilz family

    Umatilla, Florida — Who do firefighters turn to when they need a hero? Other firefighters, of course.

    On August 15, Marion County firefighter Stacy Bilz, 43, and his family were away on vacation when his house was struck by lightning.

    Stacy said that he had just returned to his hotel room when he realized he had a message from his neighbor.

    “When I called her back she told me my house was on fire,” Stacy said. “While I was on the phone with her, I could hear my two German Shepherds barking.”

    He said it was at that time he asked his neighbor, “Please get my dogs out, please.”

    He said all he could think about was the dogs.

    Stacy said that his neighbor’s husband, Mark Savage, jumped in his truck and drove across the five-acre parcel to help. Without hesitation, Savage threw a brick through the window and smashed doors in order to save the family pets.

    A short time later, Lake County Fire Rescue, Station 72, responded to the scene.

    Upon arrival, firefighters did not know that the home belonged to a Marion County firefighter.

    “Lake County firefighters risked their lives to put the fire out as they do with every fire. They did not know the house belonged to a firefighter,” Stacy said. “To them, it was just a fire and they did their job professionally.”

    He added, “When firefighters arrived, my house was already 50 percent engulfed in flames. This crew risked their lives to save some of our belongings in this blaze.”

    He said that firefighters were able to salvage his wife’s wedding dress, some family photo albums, jewelry, and clothes.

    “Family photos cannot be replaced, and my wife and I are extremely grateful,” Stacy said. “The most important things to us were the dogs and the photos, everything else can be replaced.”

    To make matters worse, after the fire Stacy and his wife, Debi Bilz, learned that the homeowners insurance policy that had been sold to them was not enough to cover the value of the home. He said he blames himself for not double-checking the coverage.

    A GoFundMe page was set up for the firefighter family, and so far, it has raised over $10,000.

    Stacy said that this entire experience has been very humbling and that it has put things into perspective for him.

    “I will not be able to go into a fire without thinking of the people in the same way that this has affected my family,” Stacy said.

    Stacy and Debi plan to rebuild their house, they said.

    When asked if he had a message for all of those involved, he replied, “I cannot thank Lake County firefighters enough. It means the world to us and you will forever be my brothers.”

    As for his neighbors, he said his dogs are family, and that there is no way to express the gratitude he has for his neighbors saving his two Shepherds.

    “I am very thankful for my neighbors,” Stacy said.

    He also said that he is grateful for the support the community has shown his family.

    Stacy started out as a Marion County volunteer firefighter in 1998, but has been a paid professional with Station 27, in Weirsdale for the past eight years.

    If you would like to help this firefighter family, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/wt2a7s24.

    Marion Oaks: Sex offenders within five miles of each school

    Ocala, Florida — Recently, parents asked Ocala Post to compile an easy-to-view list of sex offenders who live near schools in Marion Oaks. So, with the safety of your children in mind, Ocala Post did just that.

    Parents should be vigilant and study these lists. Parents should also make their children aware of the list, and should not be afraid to discuss this information with a child.

    These lists are the most current and up-to-date lists provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Some offenders might live near more than one school, therefore an individual might appear on more than one list.

    Additional links, which are absolutely free to use, can be found at the bottom of this article.

    Sex offenders who live within five miles of Horizon Academy, located at 365 Marion Oaks Dr, Ocala.

    Print this list here.

    Sex offenders who live within five miles of Marion Oaks Elementary, located at 280 Marion Oaks Trail, Ocala. And, Sunrise Elementary, located at 375 Marion Oaks Course, Ocala.

    Print this list here.

    sex offenders Marion Oaks Elementary_Page_5

    Previously, Ocala Post reported on how sex offenders are being allowed to live next door to schools. 

    If you wish to search your neighborhood, click here.

    To be notified by FDLE when a sex offender moves into your neighborhood, click here.

    Man hit, threatened to shoot, and fired weapon at teenage girl

    Absalom Torres, ocala news, silver springs shores, marion county news, shooting, teen, facebook
    Absalom Torres

    Silver Springs Shores — A Summerfield man faces multiple felony charges after he hit, threatened to shoot, and fired a weapon at a teenage girl Monday.

    The incident occurred near Teak Run, Ocala.

    The victim told deputies that the altercation began via Facebook, when Absalom Torres’ girlfriend, Crystal Ramos, 22, began making threats against her.

    The victim stated that on Monday, Ramos and Torres, also 22, began driving past her residence.

    A short time later, as the victim and her friends were walking near Banyan Course and Almond Road, they were approached in a vehicle occupied by Torres and his girlfriend.

    According to reports, Torres and Ramos were yelling profanities at the victim, so, she told the couple to leave the area and leave her alone.

    The victim said that was when Torres pulled out a gun, pointed it at her, and stated, “I will shoot you if you talk about my family.”

    Deputies said that as the victim attempted to walk away, Torres exited his vehicle and pushed her to the ground. Torres then struck the victim in the head three times and slammed her head into the ground.

    The victim stated that she was able to kick Torres “between the legs,” at which time he retreated back to his truck and grabbed his gun.

    As Torres began walking toward the victim, he was swinging the gun in the air and pointing it at multiple people.

    According to deputies, Torres then fired a shot at the victim. Reports stated that if the victim’s friend had not pushed her out of the way, the bullet would have struck the victim in the leg.

    Torres then returned to his vehicle and fled the scene.

    Deputies tracked down Torres at the 9200 block of South 441 and conducted a felony traffic stop.

    According to reports, the truck was occupied by Torres, Ramos, and Torres’ two infant children.

    Upon searching the vehicle, deputies found a 9mm Bryco handgun in the center console.

    During questioning, Torres admitted to striking the teenage girl. He also told deputies that he had considered using a Mossberg Pump shotgun instead of a 9mm handgun.

    Torres told deputies that the victim had attacked him, so, he struck the victim in self-defense. He said that after he was kicked in the groin he retrieved his gun and fired a shot “just to scare” the victim. Torres stated that he only pointed it at the ground.

    Torres was arrested and charged with Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony (x4), Weapon Offense with a Stolen firearm, Firing a Weapon in Public, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Cruelty Toward a child, and Displaying a Firearm During a Felony.

    He is being held on $45,500 bond.

    The victim was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center and treated for her injuries.

    The Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident.

    Ramos was not charged with a crime.

    Mother involved in 225A crash died

    Theresia “Terri” Conley dies, ocala news, car crash, marion county news, car accident 225a accident
    Theresia “Terri” Conley [Deceased]
    Ocala, Florida — A mother who was critically injured following a two-vehicle crash on August 3, has died.

    Florida Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Sergeant Tracy Hisler-Pace said that Conley was pronounced deceased on August 16, 2015, at 10:54 a.m.

    Conley’s passenger, 6-year-old Zachary Bode, remains in critical condition at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

    According to FHP, the Hyundai Elantra, driven by Conley, 31, was stopped on the west shoulder of County Road 225A, south of Northwest 62nd Place, preparing to make a U-Turn.

    A Chevy Suburban, driven by John Peterson, 73, was traveling southbound on County Road 225A.

    Troopers said that Conley turned into the northbound and southbound lanes of County Road 225A, in front of Peterson, who had the right of way.

    ocala news, marion county news, car crash, fatal crash, car accident, 225a accident

    The suburban then T-boned the left side of the Hyundai.

    The woman and the boy were trapped inside the Hyundai. Firefighters from Marion County Fire Rescue Golden Ocala Station 20 worked to extricate them from the wreckage.

    Peterson was not injured during the crash.

    Conley was also pregnant at the time of the accident.

    She was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center where she and her baby died.

    FHP: Hit-and-run involving school bus; information needed

     

    ocala news, marion county, hit and run, school bus, back to school
    FHP investigates school bus crash. [Photo MCSO]
    Ocala, Florida — Florida Highway Patrol troopers need the public’s help locating a suspect who was involved in a hit-and-run with a school bus on Monday, the first day of the 2015-2016 school year.

    According to reports, a Marion County school bus was traveling southbound on U.S. 441 in the left travel lane. Troopers said a silver Honda approached the rear of the school bus in the inside lane, and then veered into the left turn lane to Southeast 30th Street. At that time, the right front of the Honda struck the left rear of the bus.

    The Honda then turned left onto Southeast 30th Street and fled the scene.

    There were 45 student passengers aboard the bus.

    FHP said that one student was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center and treated for neck and back pain.

    The driver of the school bus, Terri L. Haynes, was not injured.

    If you have any information about this hit-and-run, contact Trooper J. Hilliard, at the Ocala Florida Highway Patrol station by calling 352-732-1260.

    Young Summerfield woman killed in crash

    Sydney M. Root killed in crash, car crash on august 15, ocala news, marion county news, car accident, car crash, car accident in summerfield
    Sydney M. Root

    Marion County — A Summerfield woman lost her life Saturday evening after her vehicle struck a power pole.

    A 2001 silver Toyota Celica, driven by Sydney M. Root, 22, was traveling southbound on Southeast 47th Avenue when the vehicle began to exit the roadway.

    Florida Highway Patrol troopers said that the vehicle entered the west grassy shoulder and slammed into a power pole.

    According to reports, after striking the pole, the Celica began to rotate and flip multiple times. The vehicle came to its final resting place on its roof facing northwest.

    FHP troopers said that Sydney was not wearing her seat belt during the accident, which occurred at approximately 8:03 p.m.

    According to reports, Sydney was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Sydney’s family and friends were devastated over the news.

    Breanna Root wrote, “Still Can’t Believe I Literally Lost My Sister .. 😔 Rest In Peace ! I Love You.” [sic]

    According to friends who were close with Sydney, she was struggling with depression and other health issues.

    On August 12, Sydney wrote this on her Facebook timeline: “Lord I need you right now. I know you would never give me more than I can handle, but right now I feel like I am not strong enough to keep going through this. I’m tired of feeling like I’m dying every day. It’s been 3 1/2 years now and I have not gotten any better. Please help me Lord. Don’t let me keep suffering.” [sic]

    The investigation is ongoing.

    Second bomb hoax in Silver Springs Shores

    [Video of the fake device being blown up]

    Silver Springs Shores — On Saturday, a suspicious device that had been found on a windowsill at 61 Pecan Run Course, Ocala turned out to be a hoax.

    The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and Marion County Fire Rescue Hazmat responded to the scene.

    Bomb squad technicians determined that the item looked suspicious enough to deploy their robot and retrieve the suspicious item.

    Article continued below

    ocala news, bomb scare, marion coutny news, suspicious device, silver springs shores
    Hoax device found and disposed of. [MCSO]
    The fake device was then blown up by a controlled detonation.

    This is the second time since July 6 that a suspicious item was found on the same street. In both instances, the suspicious items turned out to be a fake.

    These two hoaxes cost thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds and unwanted panic within the neighborhood.

    Body of missing hiker found

    hiker found, ocala news, ocala national forest, marion county news,
    Christopher Anderson

    Ocala, Florida — After an extensive search, the body of a missing hiker was found at approximately 1 p.m. Friday.

    Searchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marion County Fire Rescue, and the Marion County sheriff’s Office found the body.

    Christopher Anderson, 43, was found on a trail near the Juniper Springs area.

    According to reports, on August 10, Anderson went for a hike near Salt Springs, Florida. When Anderson did not show up to meet his friends they reported him missing.

    An autopsy  will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

    Investigators said foul play in not suspected at this time.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    Know when to stop for school buses and school crossings in Florida

    stopping for school buses, school bus, florida, ocala news, marion county news, laws for stopping for school bus, stopping for school bus laws in florida
    [Click photo to enlarge]
    Florida — With the start of the 2015-2016 school year quickly approaching, here is a reminder for all of those drivers who do not seem to understand when to stop for a school bus.

    The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provided Ocala Post with the exact laws and, just short of drawing it in crayon, a full color diagram.

    Officials said if drivers do not understand the regulations after reading the law and reviewing the diagram, then that person should consider visiting a driver testing center.

    Stopping for School buses

    On a two way street or highway, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus which is picking up or dropping off children. You must remain stopped until all children are clear of the roadway and the bus’ stop arm is withdrawn.

    If the highway is divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, you do not have to stop if you are moving in the opposite direction of the bus. Painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers.

    You must always stop if you are moving in the same direction as the bus and you must remain stopped until the bus’ stop arm is withdrawn.

    Any person using, operating, or driving a vehicle that passes a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stopped signal commits a moving violation and will be required to complete a basic driver improvement course.

    School Crossings

    School area signs advise drivers of school zones and school crossings. School zones help protect the safety of students when they cross the roadway. School crossings help inform drivers that children use that crossing to go to and from school.

    Be attentive to school zone reduced speed limits, school crossing guards, and unpredictable children, since these situations may require you to reduce your speed or stop.

    When children (walking, bicycling or skating) or school crossing guards are present in a crosswalk, drivers must yield or stop at the marked stop line and without stopping in the crosswalk.

    It is the driver’s responsibility to avoid colliding with pedestrians. Do your part to make every school crossing a safe crossing for children.

    Crossing guards are the first to enter and last to exit a crosswalk to indicate to drivers that pedestrians, especially children, are about to cross or are crossing. Do not enter the crosswalk while a school crossing guard is in the roadway.

    For more information, visit http://www.flhsmv.gov/.