VOLUME 6 ISSUE 30
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Kinsey Bogart's journey Pg B1 JULY 25 - 31, 2025
Senior struggles Rising costs of food, housing and more are presenting daunting challenges for older people. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
I
f you’ve shopped for groceries or an apartment lately, you get it—things have gone up. Increases in food, housing, utilities and insurance costs have been felt by all consumers, but perhaps most hard hit are seniors living on Social Security income
alone. The U.S. Census states that as of July 1, 2024, 28.5% of Marion County’s population of 428,905 was over 65 years old. Karla Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, one of the largest nonprofit help agencies in the county, said she has definitely seen senior clients impacted by housing and cost of living increases.
“We have heard multiple stories from seniors on a fixed Social Security income that had their rent raised by $200 to $400 per month. For some, this increase exceeded the total amount of their monthly income,” Greenway wrote in an email. “Add to that the increased cost of utility bills and they are no See Housing, page A6
The Evangeline Booth Garden Apartments complex in Ocala is one of the local facilities accessible to low-income seniors. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
WEC's massive sports complex hurtles toward finish line
Juan Miranda Valentin and Keyshalin Costa wedding in 2015. [Supplied photo]
Deadly detox at MCSO jail By Jennifer Hunt Murty Jennifer@ocalagazette.com
D
etoxing from drugs or alcohol can be dangerous anywhere, but when it happens in a turbulent jail environment, the person going through the withdrawal symptoms can be in even greater danger. The case of a Marion County jail inmate, who died five days after being incarcerated while he was overcoming admitted drug use, raises questions about the level of care being provided to inmates at the facility. Challenges detoxing in jails have been widely reported. According to a 2022 joint report by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the US Department of Justice and the See Deadly detox, page A3
Over strong opposition, commissioners send proposed development to state for review. By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco. com
A
fter more than four hours of discussion before an audience of over 200 people, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on July 21 unanimously approved a controversial and expansive sports complex that World Equestrian Center owners plan to build on land previously designated for low-density housing and "equestrian estates." The vote during the board’s Planning & Zoning meeting sends the plan to state agencies for review. The board anticipates getting the review back later this year, at which point a zoning change and potential planning restrictions will be negotiated and
Tim Gant, left, and Jerome Feaster, both of Save Our Rural Area (SORA) talk during the Planning and Zoning Commission and DRC Waiver Requests Public Hearing about the proposed World Equestrian Center sports facilities at the Marion County Commission auditorium in See Sports complex, page A8 Ocala on July 21, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
GIS: ‘A mix of data, science and art’ The College of Central Florida is introducing a Geographic Information Systems certificate program to help meet a growing need for people trained in the specialized technology. By Margo Wilson margo@ocalagazette.com
Shown with an interactive map projected on the wall behind them, Amy Osborne, the CF Computer Information Technology Program Manager for IT Programs, left, and Asir Khan, a CF student and a GIS programmer analyst, talk about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training in a computer lab at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on June 25, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
W
ant to find out where the storm manholes are on Southwest College Road? Would you like a digital map showing how to find the Ma Barker house in Ocklawaha? How about an aerial view of Ocala and Marion County hiking and biking
trails? These are but a few of the surprises one can find on maps on city of Ocala or Marion County government websites. And they are but a few of the many uses that Geographic Information Systems technology makes available to city and county staff, businesses and the public. To help accommodate a growing need for people trained in creating
and maintaining digital maps and related information, the College of Central Florida this fall is introducing a one-year certificate program in GIS. The program should qualify graduates to serve as GIS technicians, map assistants and data assistants. Students also can apply the classes toward related two- and four-year See GIS, page A4
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MCFR boosts recruitment.......... A2 School board budget.................... A9 High flying memories................... B3 Calendar......................................... B6 Musical premiere.......................... B9
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