Honorable Mentions | June 21 – June 27, 2024

Ocala Police Department announces promotions

Ocala Police Department Chief Mike Balken has announced several promotions within the agency.

• Casey Eades has been promoted from lieutenant to captain. She has been serving OPD since 2007.
• Charles Hunt has been promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. He has been serving OPD since 2010.
• Mary Williams has been promoted from detective to sergeant. She has been serving OPD since 2003.
• David Moorehead has been promoted from corporal to sergeant. He has been serving OPD since 2013.
• Ryan Park has been promoted from detective to sergeant. He has been serving OPD since 2019.

Chief Mike Balken and Captain Casey Eades [Ocala Police Department].

Florida State Representative Stan McClain was presented with the legislative excellence award on June 26.

The award was bestowed by the Florida Association of Counties at its 2024 annual conference and educational exhibition.

McClain, the representative for District 27 of the Florida House of Representatives, has served in the role since his election in 2016. Stan is nearing the end of his final term in office.

District 27 encompasses parts of Marion, Lake and Volusia Counties.

District 27 State Rep. Stan McClain earned the legislative excellence award from the Florida Association of Counties [Marion County].

The Marion County Community Services Department was honored with an award for best practices for the Beacon Point Project in partnership with the Marion County Hospital District.

The award was bestowed by the Florida Association of Counties at its 2024 annual conference and educational exhibition.

“This great project has helped to provide comprehensive behavior and substance abuse treatment resources to our community,” according to Marion County.

The Marion County Community Services department for receiving the Florida Association of Counties award for Best Practices for the Beacon Point Project in partnership with the Marion County Hospital District [Marion County].