Area students excel in higher education
University Graduates
Gladys Lupu, Ocala, Bachelor of Science degree, Human Environmental Sciences, University of Alabama
Alexis Ocasio Rentas, Belleview, Bachelor of Science degree, Computer Science,Cum Laude,University of Maryland Global Campus
Ciera Stuewe, Silver Springs, Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida campus
Janae Morrison-Whyte, Ocala, Bachelor of Science degree, Health Science, Valdosta State University
'I'm trying not to get my hopes up':Marion County resident Linda Zimmerman needs a kidney
Ocala lands new restaurant:Flying Boat Tap Room has tapas and 28 Florida craft beers on tap
School board disagreement:Browning insists consent agenda is a way to sweep things under the carpet
Dean’s List
Andrew Kemper, Ocala, University of New England
Sydney Mickel, Belleview, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida campus
Michael Powell, Ocala, Quinnipiac University
Anna Ross, Ocala, American University
Honor Roll
Brian Epstein, Ocala, Faculty Honors, Georgia Institute of Technology
OPD Ice Cream Truck program receives $5,000 donation
Grassroots support for Ocala Police Department Chief Mike Balken's Community Policing Program continued on Jan. 7 at the Kiwanis Club of Ocala’s weekly meeting, Scott Hackmyer said in an email.
Maria Patino, director of customer and community relations for the Jenkins Auto Group, represented CEO and President Tom Formanek in presenting Balken a $5,000 donation to support OPD’s Polar Patrol Ice Cream Truck program.
The Polar Patrol truck goes to various neighborhoods, schoolsand events with officers giving out free ice cream. This is one of many tools the police department is using to help build relationships with residents, Hackmyer said in the email.
Kingdom of the Sun Chapter installs new officers and directors
The Kingdom of the Sun Chapter held its Jan. 6 meeting at the Braised Onion in Ocala to installofficers and directors, Arlo Janssen, LTC, USA, Ret., editor of the Sunbeams newsletter, KOS/MOAA, said in an email.The new officers are:
- President: Maj. Joseph Voge, Army
- 1st Vice President:Col. Craig Ham, Army
- 2nd Vice President:Col. Nick Navetta, Army
- Secretary:Col. James Alsobrook, Air Force
- Treasurer:Linda Byrd, SSM
The new directors are:
- CDR Tom Dann, Coast Guard
- Barbara LaFleur, SSM
- Ltc. Frank Rasbury, Army
- Col. Robert Schlegel, Army
- Ltc. Carolyn Smith, Army
Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop donates to Covenant Children’s Home
Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop volunteer Jan Olsen recently presented a $1,500 check to Executive Director of the Covenant Children’s HomeKendalyn Green, according to a press release from Joann McCullough, publicity, Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop, Inc.
The CCH, located just south of Dunnellon, is tasked with the foster care of at-risk children (ages 12-17) who have been removed from their homes because their families are unable to care for them, the release said. CCH has just completed building the second of six homes that will form a residential neighborhood.
Tri County Metals, Florida Guardian Ad Litem Foundation team up With Christmas Gifts For Foster Children
The Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation recently announced its collaboration with Tri County Metals, a company that provided Christmas gifts last month to abused and neglected children served by the Guardian ad Litem Program, according to a press release from the Marion County Public Relations Office.
Tri County Metals is a roofing company with locations across North and Central Florida. In each of its locations, the company reached out to the local Guardian ad Litem program during the holidays.
“It’s heartwarming to see Tri County Metals step up to provide Christmas to foster children throughout Florida,” Guardian ad Litem Interim Executive Director Dennis Mooresaid in the release. “It is an ongoing need, and seeing this partnership fill that need is tremendous.”
Scott DeBerry, marketing manager for Tri County Metals, said in the release that such partnerships “help us give back to the communities we serve. It’s in the DNA of our culture.”
Guardian ad Litem also expressed gratitude to Marion County Fire Rescue and Hernando County businessesSouthern Hills Plantation, Crank Works Bicycles of Brooksvilleand The Drunken Mullet, along with dozens of individualswho donated gifts to make Christmas so special for the children the GAL serve, the release said.
Jim Gissy donates $50,000 to help Dunnellon sportsplex, andMarion County government provides a matching grant
Marion County government has matched local land owner Jim Gissy's $50,000 donation, and the combined $100,000 will go to improve the Dunnellon Little League Sportsplex, according to a county news release.
"Gissy reached out to (Marion County) Parks & Recreationafter visiting the sportsplexand recognized a need he could help with while inviting Marion County to match his donation. Thisnewcommunity partnership adds to several members of our community who assist Parks & Recreation in their mission by providing scholarships for campers and small park projects via the Friends of Marion County Parks & Recreation Foundation," the release says.
"Mr. Gissy recognized the importance of supporting the Dunnellon Little League, Inc., a local non-profit organization led by a group of volunteers who make baseball and softball available to the community, and is pleased that the funds will be put to good use at the park," the release says.
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