COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS
OEU awards, Anthony sesquicentennial, ag hall of fame, The Rock program and MCCA awards
OEU lineworkers bringing home trophies from the Florida Lineman Competition were Even Vandeventer, Kameron Matvejs and Bryson Jones. [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]
OEU safety and linemen awards
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recognized Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) with a 2025 Safety Award during the Florida Lineman Competition Awards Banquet held in Tallahassee last weekend.
FMEA recognizes and rewards safe operations through its annual program. Utilities are placed in categories based on total worker hours and recognized for maintaining the most incident-free safety records. The incidence rate used to evaluate utilities is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses compared to total worker hours during 2025, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the news release noted.
The award was presented as part of the annual Florida Lineman Competition, which brings together lineworkers from public power utilities across the state to demonstrate technical skill, safety procedures and teamwork in simulated real-world scenarios. The competition highlights the expertise required to safely maintain and restore electric infrastructure.
OEU lineworkers earning honors were:
- Even Vandeventer, second place in Mutual Aid and third place in Hurtman Rescue
- Bryson Jones, third place in Fiberglass Guy Link Change Out
- Kameron Matvejs, third place in Jack Jumper Fuse Replacement
Call for participants
The town of Anthony will mark a milestone on May 16 as the community gathers to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
Founded in 1876 by Col. Edwin C. Anthony and originally known as Anthony Place, the town has remained a symbol of Central Florida’s agricultural roots and community spirit. In honor of the sesquicentennial celebration, the Anthony Historical Society is inviting local businesses, churches, artisans, food vendors and community organizations to participate.
For more information, email Bertha Flynn, president of the society, at [email protected].
Nominations sought
Since its founding in 2003, the Marion County Agriculture Hall of Fame has celebrated the vision, hard work and impact of those who have shaped the community’s farming and livestock heritage. There have been 43 inductees to date.
Community members who know an agricultural leader who has made a meaningful impact on the county’s agriculture community can complete a nomination form at Marion County UF/IFAS Extension Services, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, or download it online at marionfl.org/aghofapp
Nominations must be submitted by April 30. To learn more, contact Crystal McCazzio, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Director, at (352) 671-8400 or [email protected]
Nonprofit awards
SECO Energy and CoBank recently awarded $30,000 in Sharing Success contributions to four nonprofit organizations serving Central Florida. The Wildwood Soup Kitchen in Sumter County, Citrus Abuse Shelter Association (CASA) in Citrus County, The Rock Program in Marion County and Lake Support & Emergency Recovery, Inc. (LASER) in Lake County each received $7,500 to expand critical services addressing hunger, domestic violence, student support and disaster recovery.
The Rock Program operates in-school resource centers known as Rock Rooms, where students can discreetly access clothing, hygiene items, food and school supplies. By addressing basic needs within schools, the organization removes barriers that can interfere with learning and helps students thrive academically and socially.
Learn more at therockprogram.org
Nominations open
The Marion County Children’s Alliance has opened the portal for nominations for the annual Dr. Mike Jordan Award of Excellence and the Vision Award.
The awards will be presented to two Marion County organizations that demonstrate exceptional and innovative work for and alongside area children, the announcement noted. Recipients will be honored at A Spring Soirée: Growing Strong Futures for Our Youth on April 17 at Midtown Station.
Submit nominations by April 1 at surveymonkey.com/r/MCCADrJAward26
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