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Interfaith is taking in 10 to 15 people a night at the open-air shelter in addition to its indoor beds. Some public comment expressed concern that the addition will draw homeless individuals to the area and leave the overflow on the streets, but Grimsley says they could comfortably take 50 to 60 more people as long as they are seeking help and go through the vetting process. Individuals in the open-air shelter have access to bathrooms and can leave at will, but most stay the whole night unless they have a job to get to. Grimsley says they have seen people accumulating near Interfaith since the city shut down a large encampment a few months ago, which prompted the temporary open-air shelter plan. ....
The crash was investigated by Ocala Police Sgt. Dan E. Wright. He interviewed Edwards, 41, of Ocala, who reported that he was driving an older model Dodge Caravan on the afternoon of Nov. 12. He stopped at a store and he and his passenger, Derrick Glen Brown, 57, also of Ocala, went inside and purchased two beers. Edwards said they did not open the beers, and police confirmed that. He said he was driving north on Northwest First Avenue and his cellphone was on his lap. The man said the phone started ringing and he went to pick it up. The phone fell from his lap and dropped between the door and his seat, Edwards said. He said he leaned to his left to try and get the phone. Edwards said he heard a thud noise. Looking up, Edwards realized his vehicle had struck a fence. ....
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. ....
‘I saw the need of the people:’ Ocala’s first Black councilwoman reflects on being a voice for the city Mary Sue Rich served on the Ocala city council for 24 years Updated: Tags: Mary Sue Rich (WKMG) OCALA, Fla. – At the young age of 80, Mary Sue Rich left her post on the Ocala City Council after serving for 24 years. Rich was the first black woman to be elected to the position. She represented the Northwest Ocala district. “I felt really good having a voice as a woman. The other council members always respected me and my ideas and answered any questions. They also tried to encourage me. We always served well together,” Rich said. ....
At least 50 homeless people were displaced last week when the City of Ocala leveled a tent city. The encampment was on city-owned land just west of Pine Avenue and north of Northeast 14th Street. There were approximately 30 tents there, and the police department had noted an increase in property and violent crime, including a stabbing the week of Jan. 25, a city spokeswoman wrote in an email to the Star-Banner. The property was overwhelmed with trash, abandoned tents, furniture, bicycle parts, broken toys, shopping carts, fire pits, wooden pallets, electronics, tires, empty beer and soda cans, and various types of broken glass and pottery. Areas of human waste were also observed, the email said. ....