VOLUME 4 ISSUE 24
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Happy Father’s Day JUNE 16 - JUNE 22, 2023
OCALA MOURNS AJ
To build or not to build? County facilities management envisions plans for upgrades vs. new construction.
‘Justice for AJ’ and reassurance for her children The memorial service for Ajike “AJ” Owens offered hope between tears. By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com
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By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com
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he Marion County Board of County Commissioners recently met with staff to consider options for upgrading or replacing high-use county properties including court facilities and libraries. The May 17 visioning workshop was held at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., which, coincidentally, was one of the structures discussed. Others included the Marion County Judicial Center and a library or mobile unit for Silver Springs Shores residents. Facilities Management Director Jared Goodspeed brought up concerns about the McPherson structure’s 58 years of wear and tear. The anticipated cost to maintain the complex over the next 10 years is $18.5 million. Goodspeed proposed creating a 25-year comprehensive master plan to determine the costs of rebuilding vs. upgrading the property’s structures along with operational plans “to guide the best decision.” “The interesting part about this,” he said, “is that if we were to maintain our current structures with maintenance utilities and just basic CIP (critical infrastructure protection) maintenance to keep the buildings from falling apart, we’re basically at $81 million over the course of 25 years. See County, page A4
Pamela Dias, the mother of Ajike “AJ” Owens, leaves the church with Owens’ children during the Celebration of Life for Ajike “AJ” Owens at Meadowbrook Church in Ocala on Monday, June 12, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
he Rev. Al Sharpton called out Florida state officials and Gov. Ron DeSantis for their silence after the shooting in his eulogy at the memorial service for Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens on Monday, June 12. “We’re not going to let you,” he warned. “We’re not going to be quiet about it. What happened here is wrong, and we’ve come here with AJ’s family to be strong with them.” Owens died from a fatal gunshot fired by Quail Run neighbor Susan Lorincz through Lorincz’s door on Friday, June 2. The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office charged Lorincz with manslaughter and other crimes after the shooting. Sharpton admonished conservative lawmakers for “wanting to bury what happened to AJ.” “Does DeSantis have laryngitis?” Sharpton asked rhetorically, adding that he was confused about state officials “who can stand up for someone who has been indicted for espionage but cannot stand up for a mother trying to protect her children.” Before Sharpton’s speech, Meadowbrook Church Pastor Tim Gilligan gave the welcome address and promised that the church is “a house of love and a house of peace.” See Community, page A2
Defying the odds: Ocala-based trainer Jena Antonucci makes history in the Belmont Stakes By Michael Compton Correspondent
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n Arcangelo’s remarkable 1 ½-length triumph in the June 10 $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1), the third leg of racing’s Triple Crown, history was rewritten as his trailblazing trainer Jena Antonucci shattered the glass ceiling, becoming the first female trainer to win the coveted Belmont
“When you are an underdog, you have nothing to lose by asking questions.” Jena Antonucci
Stakes in its 155-year history. In the unprecedented victory, she also earned the distinction of becoming the first female trainer to win any of the Triple Crown races. “It’s been amazing. I’m just so appreciative of the large amount of positivity and genuine wellwishes that we have received,” said Antonucci, 47, back home in Ocala a few days removed from the excitement of winning the Belmont Stakes. “It’s been a little louder the last few days. I really enjoy quiet. Honestly, it’s been amazing, having the opportunity to share our little story and the story of our amazing industry. To be given these opportunities, I will embrace them and do the best that I can.” In the aftermath of Saturday’s historical win, Antonucci, who was
only the 11th woman to saddle a horse in the Belmont and the first since Kathy Ritvo sent out Florida-bred Mucho Macho Man to a seventh-place finish in 2011, has been busy, making numerous appearances on national cable news shows and speaking with the media. “I had already arranged to fly back home on Sunday,” Antonucci shared. “I’m not nearly bold enough to have made any plans to have stayed up in New York (after the race), like I am going to win the Belmont. That’s just not how I am wired. I appreciate other people that may have that ability. I flew home on Sunday, literally drove home to Ocala, unpacked my back, repacked my bag, and flew right back to New York that night (for the television See Local, page A7
Trainer Jena Antonucci of Ocala, right, hoists the Belmont Stakes trophy in the air as she celebrates with owner Jon Ebbert, left, after their horse, Arcangelo, won the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race in Elmont, N.Y. on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Antonucci is the first woman trainer to win a Triple Crown horse race in the history of horse racing. [Coglianese Photos – Track Photographer NYRA]
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INSIDE:
Letters to the Editor.............. A4-A5 Local Briefs.................................... A6 State News...................................... A8 Local TV Stars’ Update............... B3 Calendar......................................... B5
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