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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 30
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JULY 26 - AUGUST 1, 2024
‘NIL’ deals approved for high school athletes By Jim Turner Florida News Service
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igh school athletes in Florida, just like their college counterparts, will be able to make money off the field through endorsements and other kinds of deals. While saying additional protections are needed, the State Board of Education on Wednesday ratified a plan approved last month by the Florida High School Athletic Association that will allow high school athletes to get paid through name, image and likeness, or “NIL,” deals. Board of Education Chairman Ben Gibson said the athletic association, which regulates high-school sports, must prioritize the protection of studentathletes, most of whom will be minors. “This could be a great opportunity for some student-athletes, but we want to make sure they do it in a manner that they are protected and not exploited,” Gibson said. The plan, which overhauls a section of the association’s bylaws that govern “amateurism,” will allow studentathletes to brand themselves for commercial endorsements, promotional activities and through social media. High schools won’t be able to use promises of NIL deals to recruit players. State Education Commissioner Manny Diaz said the bylaw changes were “not taken lightly” and warned against companies trying to use NIL deals that “circumvent the process and take advantage of our students.” Board member Esther Byrd suggested the association require students to register when participating in NIL deals. “I am very concerned about the bad actors,” Byrd said. “Obviously, they have already popped up. We know it is coming. We know they don’t care about our rules, and they are going to do what See NIL deals, page A2
Who’s counting; and why? Learning about those who are homeless in Marion County—and helping them—involves numerous local and even national agencies. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
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cores of homeless and needy people who visit the Tuesday Morning Outreach (TMO) of First United Methodist Church in Ocala get a hot meal and access to a wide range of necessities. But the people who come there to eat, get new wearables or a phone and identification documents, also get a lot more—a sense of fellowship and a feeling that someone cares. “We’re not alone,” said a woman who appeared to be in her 30s and said she has been living in her car and enduring the heat. She pointed to others in the church hall on a recent Monday morning and said there’s “fellowship” among those who are homeless and hungry. Visitors at the recent TMO gathering shared a variety of situations. Sosha said she is living outdoors near a local state park. She had been working as a security officer but lost her job and her situation spiraled downward. Antwaun was once living behind a convenience store but said he has friends at the TMO. A young pregnant woman waiting just outside the hall entrance said the church outreach is “the best place.” She evidently has lived “on the streets” for three years and it was unclear if she was currently living sheltered or outdoors. “Taz” served in the Army in 1978 but has suffered medical setbacks and has lost a significant amount of weight. He got a cell phone through a governmental program at the TMO and was given numbers for two veterans’ outreaches here he could call. Michael said he was living outdoors and at one point had a camper. He said jail time for drug possession contributed to his situation but “an address” would help stabilize him. The first person that visitors met at the recent TMO gathering was church member and volunteer Lloyd Lindquist, who checked their stored information in the outreach computer. See Homeless, page A3
“Unfortunately, most homeless that we serve are dealing with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues.” Jason Halstead
Executive Director of Brothers Keeper
Counterclockwise from top: A man who only wanted to be identified as “Adam” sits with his dog as he listens to inspirational people speak and Scripture being read for homeless people during the Tuesday Ministries Outreach that helps homeless people at the Ocala First United Methodist Church on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Teri Keepers, the chairperson of Tuesday Ministries Outreach, speaks. Christine Pittman of La Casella Catering serves meals to the homeless. Homeless people receive free bread. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
Pastor and former NAACP president runs for Congress Democrat James Stockton is vying for the District 6 seat on the U.S. House of Representatives By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Bishop J. David Stockton III, the Sr. Pastor at the Greater New Hope Church, poses for a photo in the Sanctuary of the church on Emerald Road in Silver Springs Shores, Fla. on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. Stockton is the new president of the NAACP of Marion County. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.
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local pastor-turnedpolitician is the sole Democrat vying for the District 6 seat of the U.S. House of Representatives—and he hopes to bring Ocala’s interests to Congress. Bishop James David Stockton, 52, serves as the pastor of the Greater New Hope Church and is a community leader of faith. Through his work as the former president of the Marion County NAACP, he is a longtime advocate of civil rights in the community.
As the only Democrat in the race for Congress in District 6, he will face the winner of the Republican primary election in the general election in November. The candidates running in the Aug. 20 GOP primary election are incumbent Rep. Michael Waltz, John Grow, and write-in candidate Richard Deminsky. Each congressional district is made up of about 710,000 people. District 6 encompasses parts of Marion, Lake, Putnam, Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms and receive a salary of $174,000. See Stockton, page A2
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