VOLUME 6 ISSUE 6
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New model homes Pg B2 FEBRUARY 7 - 13, 2025
Newlyweds bring special spark to OCT production Real-life couple James Ray and Megan Taylor shine in “Daddy Long Legs,” on stage from Feb. 6-23. By Jamie Berube Special to the Gazette
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hen Greg Thompson was a child, he says he was always confused by the idea of falling in love at first sight. “As a teenager, I became even more puzzled by the concept of falling in love altogether. I can’t imagine how much more complicated it would have been if I had to deal with the option of swiping left or right, perhaps without reading my potential love interest’s profile first,” he said. For Thompson, it raises the question whether or not two people can fall in love without physically seeing one another, first. Thompson is the executive and artistic director of the Ocala Civic Theatre and has directed and/or choreographed dozens of shows. He has been a member of the Actor’s Equity Association, the Society of Directors and Choreographers and is SAG-AFTRA eligible. This month, he is serving as director and choreographer for an old-fashioned love story that may answer his question about love at first sight. From Feb. 6-23, love is on stage with “Daddy Long Legs” live at OCT, where two local actors will play out a love story originally penned by American author Jean Webster in 1912. Webster, the grandniece of Mark Twain, wrote “Daddy Long Legs” as a series that appeared from April to September 1912 in the “Ladies’ Home Journal.” It was published in book form in October 1912. The setting is New England, and the timeframe is 1908-1912. Jerusha Abbott, played by Megan Taylor, is introduced in the opening act as the oldest out of 97 orphans in the John Grier Home. Being 18 years old with a gift for writing, Jerusha catches the attention of a wealthy benefactor of the home, Jervis Pendleton, played by James Ray Taylor. This mysterious benefactor is smitten by Jerusha’s writing and he decides to pay for her college education with one condition: She must regularly write him letters detailing her collegiate adventures and he will remain anonymously known as “John Smith.” James Ray Taylor is returning to the OCT stage, where he previously played roles such as Sherlock Holmes in “Baskerville,” Joseph Pulitzer in “Newsies,” Dracula in “Dracula” and Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast.”
Husband and wife duo, Megan Taylor and James R. Taylor III, seen during a dress rehearsal on Feb. 4, 2025, are the stars of the play “Daddy Long Legs” at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala. [Photos by Thomas Cuevas/Ocala Gazette]
Whistleblower sues Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods Lawsuit claims wrongful termination for advocating for humane inmate care By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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he former medical liaison for the Marion County Jail has sued the sheriff ’s office, claiming she was retaliated against after pleading for better medical care for inmates, according to court documents. Mary Coy, a certified jail auditor, worked at the jail from February 2018 until August 2024, when she claims she was wrongfully terminated from the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office for bringing forward concerns about the quality of care provided by Heart of Florida Health Center, the agency contracted for all inmate medical care. Coy is suing Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods under the Florida Whistleblower Act. She first claimed to be the target of retaliation while still employed by the agency in October 2023. MCSO declined to comment on the pending lawsuit. Coy was subject to an administrative review and disciplinary counseling during her employment, in response to Coy writing letters to jail executives claiming the facility was not complying with the law and not maintaining proper standards of medical care. The operation of the county jail has come under scrutiny in recent months following the death of inmate Scott Whitley, a diagnosed schizophrenic. Whitley died on Nov. 25, 2022, after being forcibly removed from his cell by six deputies. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death was homicide. None of the deputies involved in the incident have faced criminal charges as a result. Whitley’s family filed, and later settled, a wrongful death suit against the MCSO. The “Gazette” sued MCSO to be allowed to share surveillance video of the incident with the public amid its reporting on conditions at the facility. A judge ordered that the publication be allowed to view the footage and report on the findings.
See Daddy Long Legs, page A2
See Whistleblower, page A9
Sarah Jacobs named 2025 Marion County Teacher of the Year By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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est Port High School’s Sarah Jacobs has been honored as Marion County’s 2025 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year. Jacobs, who teaches ninth and 10th grade English, took home the award at the 35th annual Golden
Apple Gala, hosted Feb. 1 by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. “As an educator, you always know there’s something you can be doing better, or there’s something you can work on,” Jacobs said. “I’m constantly trying to improve my craft, and to know that I was able to receive that recognition is just such a huge honor.”
Jacobs thanked all the educators who inspired and molded her during her foundation in teaching, saying she wouldn’t be “half the teacher” without them. “I wouldn’t be who I am without my parents, without my family,” Jacobs said. “That includes my mom, my sister, my dad, my family in general and my husband—but also all of
these other incredible educators I work with every day.” Jacobs paid tribute to the five other finalists: Joel Kunz, Jennifer Aderholt, Kristen Wilson, Sarah Burfening and Joan Edwards. “We’re still all in this together,” Jacobs said. “They still represent our district so well, and they’re incredible.” As Teacher of the Year, Jacobs has been awarded a three-year
lease for a 2025 Acura from Jenkins Auto Group. “I drove to work this morning in it, and honestly teared up a little, just because I don’t think it feels real yet,” she said. Her students excitedly greeted her on her first day back in the classroom after the gala, she said. See Teacher of the Year, page A6
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Black History Awards ................ A4 Dog of the year ............................. A5 Four chaplains ............................. A8 Calendar ....................................... B4 Puzzles ........................................... B5
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