VOLUME 7 ISSUE 12
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In celebration of women Page B1 March 13 - 19, 2026
Much more than a beauty shop
Local government DEI-ban heads to DeSantis By Jim Turner the News Service of Florida
C
ities and counties won’t be able to fund or promote diversity, equity and inclusion programs under a bill headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who would have the power to remove local officials for violating the proposed changes. The Republican-controlled House voted 77-37 on the measure (SB 1134) that Democrats claimed contains “vague and punitive” language that will result in lawsuits, chill the actions of local officials and potentially impact community events from gay pride parades to Oktoberfest. Joining Democrats in opposing the measure were five Republicans: Reps. Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach, Chip LaMarca of Lighthouse Point, Jim Mooney of Islamorada, Will Robinson of Bradenton and Paula Stark of St. Cloud. Jacksonville Republican Rep. Dean Black, the sponsor of the House version of the bill, said the proposal builds on prior efforts to dismantle DEI, a “philosophy” he claimed has wasted “millions of taxpayer dollars” and “fostered resentment instead of goodwill, mediocrity instead of merit.” As examples, he claimed Pinellas County staff trained on the importance of pronouns, while Alachua County trained senior staff “to reject white culture.” “Broward County spent $900,000 on DEI training, and that included pushing gender fluidity and transgender ideology,” Black said. In addition to banning counties and municipalities from funding or even passing a resolution in support of programs deemed diverse or inclusive, local governments would be prohibited from having a DEI office or inclusion officer. Also, the measure allows individuals to bring legal action against a local government that violates the bill’s provisions. Elected officials found in violation could face removal from office by the governor. See DeSantis, page A2
Fran Maurino as Clairee Belcher, Melody Murphy as Truvy Jones, Katarina Shaner as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie and Trinna Pye as M’Lynn Eatenton, left to right, rehearse a scene from “Steel Magnolias” at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on March 10, 2026. The play is live on stage at The Civic from March 12-29. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026
The classic ‘Steel Magnolias’ comes to life at the Ocala Civic Theatre. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
T
he Ocala Civic Theatre, or The Civic, is pulling out all the bobby pins in celebration of its 75th season.
On the heels of the successful run of “Into the Woods,” “The Crucible” and “Little Shop of Horrors,” Executive & Artistic Director Greg Thompson and his team are embarking on a journey through the parish of
Chinquapin, Louisiana, with the beloved classic, “Steel Magnolias.” “Steel Magnolias” gained a following with its big screen debut in 1989, directed by Herbert Ross and starring Sally Field, Dolly
Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts, along with Tom Skerrit, Dylan McDermott, Kevin J. O’Connor and Sam Shepard. See Steel Magnolias, page A8
Ocalan for the win
Josh Hart takes Top Fuel honor at the Amalie NHRA Gatornationals. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Ocala’s Josh Hart with his “Wally” trophy after piloting the Burnyzz Speedmaster Top Fuel dragster to the win at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville on March 8, 2026. [Photo courtesy John Force Racing/FB]
J
osh Hart of Ocala took home a “Wally” trophy after he set a track record and bested the reigning world champ and on his way to winning the Top Fuel class at the Amalie Motor
Oil NHRA Gatornationals that wrapped up March 8 in Gainesville. The trophy is NHRA’s “most prestigious” award and is named after National Hot Rod Association founder Wally Parks. “I knew I had an amazing John Force hot rod,” Hart said about his Burnyzz Speedmaster Top Fuel
dragster, which is part of the John Force Racing stable. The dragster was tuned by Dave Grubnic and John Collins, according to the JRF website. Hart went into the final round “grateful” for what had already been accomplished in what he called a weekend of “marathon” Burnyzz interaction
with his new JFR team during the Gatornationals. “The light fell in our favor” and he kept the car “in the groove” in the last run,” he said of launching from the starting line as the “Christmas tree” starting light flashed green. See Josh Hart, page A3
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Tribute 25 raffle ........................... A5 Strawberry Fest............................. A6 Help for home buyers.................. A7 Skate park event........................... B3 Calendar......................................... B6
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