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Ocala Gazette
Epstein Grand Jury Records Released
A Palm Beach County circuit judge on Monday ordered the release of grand jury testimony about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, nearly two decades after a probe into allegations the wealthy financier sexually abused young women at his Palm Beach mansion. Judge Luis Delgado ordered the testimony to be released the same day that a law aimed at making the records available went into effect. Through a deal approved by prosecutors in 2007, Epstein sidestepped federal charges and agreed to plead guilty to two state prostitution charges, including procuring a minor for sex. The Palm Beach Post’s parent company, CA Florida Holdings LLC, in 2019 filed a lawsuit against Palm Beach County officials seeking access to evidence, testimony and reports presented to the grand jury. Delgado twice ruled that he lacked the authority to release the records, prompting the Legislature this year to pass a law expanding an exception to a prohibition on the disclosure of testimony or evidence received by grand juries. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill in February. The change to the law “significantly modified the definition of ‘furthering justice’ to expressly include furthering a public interest” when requested records are related to a grand jury, Delgado wrote in Monday’s order. “It cannot be understated that the amendment to the law very clearly allows what previously was not legally permissible,” he added. Delgado’s order said the request for the records meets the new “matter of public interest” standard. “The criminal prosecutions of the most infamous pedophile in American history began in Palm Beach County – with much controversy,” the judge wrote. “For almost 20 years, the story of how Jeffrey Epstein victimized some of Palm Beach County’s most vulnerable has been the subject of much anger and has at times diminished the public’s perception of the criminal justice system.” Epstein “is indeed notorious and infamous and is widely reported to have flaunted his wealth while cavorting with politicians, billionaires, and even British Royalty” the judge added. “It is understandable that given those reports the public has a great curiosity about what was widely reported by news agency (sic) as ‘special treatment’ regarding his prosecution. This matter is clearly the subject of public interest,” Delgado’s order said. The grand-jury testimony includes details of sexual activity between Epstein and child victims of sex trafficking. The testimony “concerns activity ranging from grossly unacceptable to rape — all of the conduct at issue is sexually deviant, disgusting, and criminal,” the judge wrote. Epstein died on Aug. 10, 2019, in a New York jail.
Name chosen for Ocala Park Estates neighborhood park
The park in the Ocala Park Estates neighborhood has been officially named the Ocala Park Estates Community Park after the name had been used as a placeholder until the community suggested options. The Parks & Recreation Department held a community naming competition for the park and accepted suggestions from the...
I-75 expansion coming soon
The Florida Department of Transportation has provided more details on the project to expand Interstate 75 through Marion and Sumter counties. By adding auxiliary lanes in each direction of I-75, FDOT said the projects will decrease travel delays from accidents in the short term and ease congestion and traffic from growth in the long term.
Former police lieutenant running for District 27 Florida House seat
Former police Lt. Beckie Sirolli will face two opponents in the Republican primary election in August in an attempt to win the District 27 seat of the Florida House of Representatives. Sirolli describes herself as a Conservative Christian and grassroots Republican putting “America First.”. She is opposed by Richard...
Gentry seeks District 27 seat in the Florida House
After 50 years of practicing law and lobbying throughout the state of Florida, Richard L. Gentry has now set his sights on the Florida House of Representatives District 27 seat. He will take on Steve Shives and Becky Sirolli in the Aug. 20 Republican primary election. The winner of the...
Could solar and batteries power your home when the electricity grid goes out?
Graduate Student Researcher in Electricity Markets and Policy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Affiliate, Electricity Markets & Policy Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Could solar and batteries power your home when the electricity grid goes out?. Will Gorman, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Bentham Paulos, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Galen Barbose,...
Traffic engineers build roads that invite crashes because they rely on outdated research and faulty data
Traffic engineers build roads that invite crashes because they rely on outdated research and faulty data. “Can you name the truck with four-wheel drive, smells like a steak, and seats 35?”. Back in 1998, “The Simpsons” joked about the Canyonero, an SUV so big that they were obviously kidding. At...
Ants foraging for nectar on a Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). Jacob S. Suissa, CC BY-ND Ferns and flowers bribe helpful ant defenders with nectar, but ferns developed this ability much later – our study shows why
Ferns and flowers bribe helpful ant defenders with nectar, but ferns developed this ability much later – our study shows why. Look closely at a plant in your local park, your garden or even your kitchen, and you’re likely to see some damage. Whether a caterpillar has chewed away part of a leaf or a mealybug is sucking on sap, animals are constantly feeding on plants.
Construction to begin for new Aviation, Automotive/Diesel Mechanics building at MTC
Construction is ready to begin at Marion Technical College for its state-of-the-art Aviation and Diesel Mechanic Program building, with an estimated completion in the fall 2025. For the first time, the Florida Legislature approved a special appropriation of $5.57 million for Marion County last July to construct a building to...
Building bridges
The first ever Kids Day was held June 29 at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. Although hot temperatures and unsettled weather damped attendance, nine volunteers readied games and made notes to prepare for the next session. Volunteers also manned the 2,700-square-foot exhibit center located in a building adjacent to the park.
Marion County to consider ordinance for protections for “health freedom”
Marion County is seeking to enact protections against discrimination based on healthcare mandates such as COVID-19 vaccines and face masks. The ordinance will be known as the Marion County Health Freedom Bill of Rights. A public hearing will take place on July 16 to consider the ordinance. If passed, “Marion...
Honorable Mentions | June 21 – June 27, 2024
Ocala Police Department Chief Mike Balken has announced several promotions within the agency. Casey Eades has been promoted from lieutenant to captain. She has been serving OPD since 2007. Charles Hunt has been promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. He has been serving OPD since 2010. Mary Williams has been promoted...
School board divided on how to respond to bidding investigation findings
After two independent law firms issued reports substantiating malfeasance by School Board Member Sarah James and local construction firm Ausley Construction related to a bid to build a new high school, the school board remains divided on whether to refer the matter to the governor. During the board’s June 25...
Marion County Democrat running for FL House Seat 24 to “save democracy”
Robert L. Shaw is something of a rarity in these parts, a Democrat seeking an elective office in a region dominated by Republican politicians. But the Air Force veteran and first-time candidate sums up his appeal to voters with this simple message: “It’s bigger than you.”. “A lot...
How can the high school project move forward?
After two months of heated standstill on the southwest Marion County high school project, the school board must choose among three options on how to proceed with choosing a contractor—with the danger growing each day of failing to build and open the school in time for the 2026 school year as promised.
Ocala Prayer Vigil Ruled Unconstitutional
TALLAHASSEE — Nearly a decade after the event was held amid a crime spree, a federal judge Wednesday ruled that the city of Ocala violated the U.S. Constitution in organizing and carrying out a prayer vigil. U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan issued a 50-page decision that sided with atheists,...
MCPS bus collides with house after being run off the road
At approximately 8:08 a.m. this morning, a pickup truck driven by a 25-year-old female Ocala resident traveling southbound ran a stop sign at SW 31st Avenue Road approaching Marion Oaks Trail, hitting a Marion County District Schools bus traveling westbound on Marion Oaks Trail approaching the SW 31st Avenue Road intersection, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Cat services halted at Marion County Animal Services after spike in feline disease
Cat intakes, adoptions and shelter-neuter-release services have been halted at Marion County Animal Services after a spike in a feline disease. Animal Services announced on Tuesday that many services for cats would be immediately suspended for a week after a Feline Panleukopenia outbreak. Feline Panleukopenia, or Panleuk, is a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease in cats that most severely affects kittens.
New lights coming to brighten up Marion County high school football stadiums
Friday night lights are about to get much brighter, as the project to replace the lighting in every football stadium of Marion County’s public high schools is in motion. The undertaking will cost over $2.2 million to install the new LED lights across the eight football stadiums. The Marion County School Board approved the project on June 25. Construction is intended to last 133 days and take place from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
First-time candidate Steve Shives vies for District 27 Florida House seat
Editor’s Note: The cutline on the booking photo added to this story in the a.m. of 6/26 has been corrected from served 30 days to sentenced to 30 days jail or $465 in fines. The error was by the editor, not the author of the article. Political newcomer Steve...
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