A U.S. District Court judge ruled in the plaintiffs favor, stating the city could not arrest or cite homeless people for sleeping outside without first checking to see if they were any available beds at an emergency shelter. In response, City Council unanimously agreed to adopt the ordinance so that it is in line with the federal ruling.
Violating the right to free speech
As for the newest lawsuit: In a news release, the plaintiffs said the city and its police force are criminalizing the act of asking for help. Meanwhile, people who engage in similar conduct, such as asking for petition signatures, are not targeted.
2-year prison term, $11K restitution for stealing from ex-husband
A Citra woman has been ordered to pay her ex-husband nearly $11,000 in restitution and spend time behind bars.
Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon handed down that sentence last week to Michelle Patricia Sektor for 30 counts of dealing in stolen property and 29 counts of give false verification of ownership to pawn broker. Prosecutors dropped a charge of grand theft from a person older than 65.
The plea deal was struck by Sektor s lawyer, Andy Pozzuto of Alavi & Pzzuto, an Ocala law firm, and the State Attorney s Office.
Sektor, 61, was sentenced to a two-year prison term, but will be credited with 462 days already served in jail.