COMMUNITY NEWS

Fire Chief James Banta. [Photo courtesy Marion County Fire Rescue]

Fire chief earns designation

Marion County Fire Rescue has announced that Fire Chief James Banta has earned the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

The CPSE website notes that, “As a CFO, you shoulder the vital responsibility of strategic firefighting planning, mitigating risks and steering emergency response coordination. The CFO designation signifies your adeptness in budget oversight and resource allocation, ensuring efficient operations even in challenging times.”

The credential places Banta among just over 2,000 individuals globally who have achieved CFO status, according to a MCFR social media post.

“Chief Banta’s achievement not only reflects his personal excellence but also elevates Marion County Fire Rescue’s commitment to safety, continuous improvement and community trust,” the post noted.

September is Hunger Action Month

At its meeting on Sept. 3, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed September 2025 as Hunger Action Month. The proclamation noted that 14.9% of Marion County residents face food insecurity and are often forced to make a choice between food and other needs.

In 2024, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and its 48 partner agencies provided more than 4.7 million meals to Marion County residents. Local agencies such as Interfaith Emergency Services, His Compassion, The Salvation Army and Brother’s Keeper continue this work daily, ensuring families, children, seniors and individuals have access to food throughout the year, the news release noted.

“Hunger Action Month is not just about raising awareness, it’s about mobilizing our community to take part,” said Karla Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, in the release.

Hunger Action Month encourages citizens to donate, volunteer, fundraise, advocate and learn more about local hunger issues. Food banks across the country, including Second Harvest and its local partners, will host events throughout September to “Stock the Shelves.”

To learn more, visit feedhopenow.org

Novelist unveils new book

Ocala writer Marian Rizzo, a frequent contributor to the “Ocala Gazette,” has announced the release of her most recent novel.

“The Shepherd’s Walk: From the Manger to the Cross and Beyond,” published by WordCrafts Press, was recently released in hardback, paperback, audiobook and ebook formats.

“Set amidst the tumultuous Judean region of the Roman Empire during the reign of Ceasar Augustus and Herod the Great, Marian’s tale follows the life journey of a young Jewish shepherd named Jesse who just happens to be with a group of shepherds keeping watch over their flocks one night, when a heavenly visitor appeared with the news that a savior had been born,” the news release noted.

A Pulitzer Prize nominee in the field of journalism and an award-winning novelist, Rizzo earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible education, trained for jungle missions with New Tribes (now Ethnos 360) and served at a Youth With A Mission training center in Southern Spain. She was a field and telephone counselor for the Billy Graham Organization. A tour of the Holy Land provided much of the backdrop for her biblical-era novels, according to the release.

For information about her numerous titles, go to wordcrafts.net/marian-rizzo