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    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/.

    Video: Burglary at Five Star Cellular Sprint store

    [WARNING: Loud audio]

    Ocala, Florida — Ocala Police are still searching for three burglary suspects who smashed in the glass door of a cellular phone business on Tuesday.

    According to reports, three black males entered the Five Star Cellular Sprint store, located at 1202 Southwest 17th Street, after they threw a brick through the glass door.

    Oddly enough, nothing was reported missing from the store.

    Police said that the suspects seemed more interested in getting through the door that they failed to kick open.

    Also, the audible alarm didn’t seem to faze the would-be thieves.

    If you have any information about this case, call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000, Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text 274637 using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.

    Hiker missing in Ocala National Forest


    missing

     

    Christopher Anderson, ocala news, marion county news, missing, ocala national forest

    Ocala, Florida — On August 10, 2015, Christopher Anderson went for a hike near Salt Springs, Florida. When Anderson did not show up to meet his friends they reported him missing.

    The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, along with Marion County Fire Rescue Technical Rescue Team have been searching the Ocala National Forest searching for Anderson.

    His vehicle was discovered near a hiking trail in the Ocala National Forest.

    This is the only information available at this time.

    If you have any information about Anderson, please call 911 immediately.

    Free back to school haircut


    free haircut, ocala news, back to school, marion county news

    Ocala, Florida — On Sunday, August 16, My Salon Suites in Ocala is offering free haircuts for elementary school students — kindergarten through 5th grade — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in exchange for a donated school supply.

    Girls can also have their nails polished.

    The collected school supplies will be donated back to the Marion County School District.

    My Salon Suite of Ocala is located at 4205 Southwest 38th Court Suite 101 next to hhgregg across from Kohl’s in Berkshire Oak Plaza.

    For more information, call Mario Pineda at 352-535-0607.

    CF hosts softball camps

    cf softball, ocala sports, ocala news, marion county news, ocala post
    Assistant CF softball coach Mike Lingle shows off some batting skills to High School and middle school players. Photo by Thomas Gaines/Ocala Post

    Ocala, Florida — Even the best can get better: 47 high school and middle school softball players from all over Marion County were present at CF Field Saturday for the Central Florida Softball camp.

    The camp began with a 10-minute warm-up period of stretching, before the campers broke into groups for drills.

    “First and foremost we are ambassadors of the sport and it is our responsibility to promote growth in the sport,” Head coach Kevin Fagan said. “The camps help facilitate this through the sharing of ideas, drills, and general knowledge of the game. It is a way to ‘give back’ to the sport.”

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    Former CF player Amy Szymanowski (L) shows softball players the correct way to hit
    Former CF player Amy Szymanowski shows softball players the correct way to hit. Photo by Thomas Gaines/Ocala Post

    In his second season as head coach of the Patriots program, he led CF to a 48-15 record and a berth in the NJCAA national championship game. Fagan, a former NFL player, also has a national champion with the University of Miami in 1983 and has two Super Bowl rings from his seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

    Fagan said, “The number one issue I see with kids today is that most of them are chasing a scholarship. They forget that the game is supposed to be fun… competing is fun. They show up at these tournaments hoping to be seen by a college coach. They put pressure on themselves; their parents put pressure on them and for a lot of them it doesn’t look fun.”

    Fagan went on to say, “A scholarship should not be the ‘end all’ of their athletic experience. Players and their parents should enjoy the time together and learn from what good competition can teach us about the game of life.”

    CF has high level college players helping at these camps — from their own players to Division 1 players. Fagan said there is so much good instruction to take advantage of and players are encouraged to try new things when they are in a camp environment.

    The next Camp is slated for Aug. 15 and is open to athletes in kindergarten through sixth grade. The event is $40 per camper and includes a T- shirt.

    For more information or to register online, visit www.cfsoftballcamps.com.