MARION COUNTY, Florida (March 5, 2018) – On Monday, March 5, 2018, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives arrested Vincent LaSara Terry, (DOB: 07/17/1970) for the Second Degree Murder of Chrystal Anette Terry, (DOB: 02/06/1977).

On Monday, January 8, 2018, MCSO deputies received information that Chrystal Terry had not been seen in over a week and was missing. Vincent Terry, Chrystal’s husband, was called to the Sheriff’s Office where he reported that his wife was missing. Vincent informed deputies that Chrystal had left their home on December 21, 2017, leaving behind her personal items and that no one had heard from her since. Due to Chrystal being pregnant and needing daily medications that she was without, Chrystal was listed as a Missing Endangered person. [Read more…]

Michael was last seen by his uncle on February 28, 2018 at around 8:30 a.m. when he dropped him off at the bus stop for school. Michael never showed up for his classes at Lake Weir High School that day. At approximately 11:44 p.m. on Feb. 28, Michael’s phone was “pinged” and shown to be at 3505 Technological Ave in Orlando. It is possible that he might be trying to travel to Montana or Ohio. Family members have recently informed law enforcement that Michael suffers from different medical conditions and has made comments that have caused concern for his safety. If you have any information on Michael’s whereabouts, please call 911.

An opening reception for ‘Florida Ice,’ a solo exhibit by Kay Sorensen, will be held Friday, March 16 at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.

OCALA, Fla. (March 7, 2018) – An opening reception for ‘Florida Ice,’ a solo exhibit by Kay Sorensen, will be held Friday, March 16 at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. This reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

This art exhibit will be on display Friday, March 16 through Friday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall. This exhibit is free and open to the public.

According to her website, art and color have always been an important part of artist Kay Sorensen’s life. In addition to her formal education, Sorensen devotes time to personal research and development to create original techniques and compositions. Her life has been lived serendipitously, allowing her to develop as an artist. Her primary work the last three years has been creating a major series of ice-dyed tapestries. [Read more…]

MARION COUNTY, Florida (February 13, 2018) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives arrested Dunnellon resident David Romig (DOB: 10/07/1965) for reporting an alleged home invasion on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, in an effort to cover up the murder of his live-in girlfriend, Sally Kaufmann-Ruff (DOB 10/06/1953).

Romig told detectives at the time of the incident that an unknown armed subject entered his home located at 10499 SW 122nd Court in Dunnellon in the early morning hours on Tuesday, and that Kaufmann-Ruff had been shot during an altercation between Romig and the subject. During the investigation, evidence proved that David’s initial testimony was false and that he had staged the scene to support the presence of an intruder after he had shot Kaufmann-Ruff during an “out-of-body” experience. [Read more…]

LifeSouth is in critical need of type O blood donors. Trauma patients and patients in surgery have sharply increased the usage of type O blood, and supplies have hit a critically low level.

Type O blood can be received by all blood types, so having it available for emergencies is critical. If you are type O, LifeSouth asks you to donate today. If you do not know your blood type, now is a great time to donate and find out. Donating with LifeSouth directly impacts the community and those treated at area hospitals. [Read more…]

CEP/Ocala Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon cutting at Roberts of Ocala Funerals & Cremations this last month. The event was well attended. Pictured are Terry Roberts & Family cutting the ribbon, with the mayor helping, Roberts’ staff, CEP Representatives, city dignitaries and friends.

Change is Good… The original Roberts Downtown Chapel is no longer corporately owned. Back to traditional family values, family owned & operated. “Our Family serving your family”. Food for the Ribbon Cutting catered by Ivy House. Check the ad in this paper.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

The American Association of Women (AAUW) Ocala Branch will meet at the Marion County Public Library, 2720 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, at 1:00 p.m. in Conference Room B, for their regular monthly meeting.

The speaker for this meeting will be Heidi Maier, Ed.D. Superintendent of the Marion County Public Schools.  Dr. Maier received her Doctorate of Education in Child and Youth Studies from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL.  She previously served as an Assistant Professor at Barry University, Miami, FL and was a program specialist in the Office of Early Learning with the Florida Department of Education.  Dr. Maier’s presentation will be on “Perspectives on Women in Education.”

All are welcome to attend this meeting and learn about Women in Education and the AAUW organization.  For further information please call 352-237-4889.

The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, March 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 19, 2018) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, March 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:

• 6 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Stephen Lopez on the main event stage located at the downtown square near the gazebo.
• 7 p.m. – Contemporary dance performance by West Port High School’s MCCA (Marion County Center for the Arts) Dance Program.
• 8 p.m. – Belly dancing performance by the Cairo Dancers
• Free hands-on art activities for all ages will be provided throughout the event by the Appleton Museum of Art, Hospice of Marion County, Interfaith Emergency Services, Painting with a Twist, Marion County Public Library, Karate America Ocala, Animis Foundation and the Discovery Center.

[Read more…]

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2018) – The City of Ocala has implemented changes to its metered parking program downtown. These recommended modifications were made in response to feedback from citizens and downtown business owners and are intended to create more available on-street parking adjacent to, or in close proximity of, downtown businesses, according to City staff.

Adjustments to the parking program include:

• All parking meters are now programmed for an additional hour of parking, for a total of three-hours.
• Passport Parking has implemented three-hour parking for the pay-by-phone app.
• Android Pay and Apple Pay have been installed on all parking meters.
• An additional 11 free parking spaces have been created by removing meters on N Magnolia Avenue (between NE Second Street and NE Third Street) and on SW First Avenue, south of Fort King Street.
• Installation of 39 free on-street parking spaces along sections of NE First Avenue and N Magnolia Avenue.

[Read more…]

Sing

• Date:02/16/2018 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Location:Martin Luther King Recreaion Complex
  1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala, Florida 34471

A koala impresario stages a gala singing competition in order to save his theater, and the contest attracts the attention of such musically inclined animals as a harried pig mom, a teenage gorilla, a shy elephant and a punk porcupine. Rated PG. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. No cost. This animated movie is great for the entire family.