Honorable Mentions | June 28 – July 4, 2024

FWC and OPD staff recognized

After multiple bear sightings in Ocala, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and Ocala Police Department collaborated to safely trap and release the bears into the wild. The city of Ocala recognized those involved in the effort at the July 2 city council meeting.

The city of Ocala recognized the FWC staff as follows: Bear Biologist Paige Parks, Bear Response Contractor Mike Connelly, Bear Management Program Coordinator Mike Orlando, Lt. Swain Seiler, Lauren Dickson, Ofc. Wade Constance, Ofc. Jaret Flynn, Ofc. Brandon Roberts, and Ofc. Cody Lambert.

Also recognized for their service were the following Ocala Police Department Officers: Lt. Howie, Ofc. Ower, Ofc. Labbe, Ofc. Coughlin, Ofc. Grimes, Lt. Hurst, Sgt. Gago, Ofc. Allanson, and Ofc. Perez.

[City of Ocala]

“It is with great pleasure that I announce that Lisa Cahill has been selected as the Director of Marion County Public Safety Communications. Lisa has served in our Public Safety Communication Center since 2011, starting as an Emergency Telecommunicator. She has held many different positions within the communication center operations, training and accreditation. She has served as our Communications Center Manager since 2021 and has been instrumental in the Florida Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force. Please congratulate Lisa on her new position,” Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta wrote in a statement.

Lisa Cahill [Marion County Fire Rescue]