Woman Arrested in Fatal Reddick Stabbing
The Marion County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in connection with Saturday's fatal stabbing near Reddick.
39-year-old Amy Georgina Marie Hogg is facing charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
According to an arrest report, Hogg had been invited to stay with longtime friends at their residence on West Highway 318.
Investigators say an argument developed Friday night and continued into early Saturday morning.
A 39-year-old man was stabbed multiple times and died despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and paramedics.
A woman at the residence was also stabbed in the forearm while investigators say she struggled with Hogg over the knife.
Hogg was initially taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. After being medically cleared Monday, she was transported to the Marion County Jail.
Rabies Advisory Issued in Western Marion County
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County has issued a rabies advisory following a confirmed case involving a bobcat.
The bobcat was killed September 15 near State Road 40 and Southwest 140th Avenue in the Rainbow Park area.
Testing later confirmed that the animal was infected with rabies.
Health officials say residents and visitors should assume rabies could be present among wild animals in the area.
People should avoid physical contact with raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes and other wildlife.
Pet owners are also being reminded to keep rabies vaccinations current and supervise animals outdoors.
Anyone bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal should seek medical attention and report the incident to the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.
School Board Revisits Wyomina Park Elementary Plan Tonight
The Marion County School Board is scheduled to revisit one of the district's more closely watched school-planning issues tonight.
Board members will consider placing Wyomina Park Elementary, Fordham Early Learning Academy and Bridgeway Academy back into the district's five-year Future-Focused Operations Plan.
The three schools were removed from the plan during an August 11 meeting after parents and teachers raised concerns about the process.
District officials subsequently met with Wyomina Park employees and held two community meetings on August 27.
The superintendent is now recommending that all three schools be returned to the plan.
District staff says approval tonight would allow rezoning discussions to move forward but would not itself reassign students.
The School Board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.
$606,600 Grant Could Bring Fresh Produce to 19 Elementary Schools
Marion County Public Schools could receive more than $606,000 to provide free fresh fruits and vegetables to elementary-school students.
School Board members are scheduled to consider accepting a $606,600 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services during tonight's meeting.
The funding would serve students at 19 Marion County elementary schools.
The program is intended to provide children with additional access to fresh produce during the school day and introduce students to a wider variety of fruits and vegetables.
Transportation Planning Board Meets Today
The Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization Board meets at 3 p.m. today.
The TPO coordinates long-range transportation planning and helps establish priorities for road, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects throughout Ocala and Marion County.
The meeting is among several local government meetings scheduled today.
The Marion County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meets at 8:30 a.m., while Continuum of Care meetings begin later this morning.
Marion County Remains More Than 14 Inches Below Normal Rainfall
Despite recent rainfall, Marion County continues to experience a significant long-term rainfall deficit.
The St. Johns River Water Management District reports Marion County remains approximately 14.06 inches below normal rainfall levels.
Phase III Extreme Water Shortage restrictions remain in effect, including limits on landscape irrigation and other nonessential water uses.
Looking Ahead: Ocala Film Derby Begins Wednesday
Young filmmakers from Marion County schools will take part in the fourth annual Ocala Film Derby beginning Wednesday.
Students will participate in workshops and work with industry professionals before Friday's main competition, when teams will have about eight hours to write, shoot and complete an original short film in downtown Ocala.
The finished films will premiere Sunday at the Marion Theatre, followed by awards and the announcement of what organizers say is the largest scholarship total in the event's history.
