News in Brief: October 2-15, 2020

Kitchen fire safety is theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week

Ocala Fire Rescue is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” The campaign aims to educate everyone about simple but important things they can do to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. About 44 percent of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66 percent) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“The most important step you should take before making a meal is to “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” said Ocala Fire Chief Shane Alexander. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

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Down for Donuts charity event Saturday at CrossFit Iron Legion

CrossFit Iron Legion hosts its fifth annual Down for Donuts event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and to raise money for GiGi’s Playhouse in Gainesvillle, which is a Down Syndrome Achievement Center.

The event features a fitness competition and silent auction to raise funds. Free coffee and donuts from a local coffee shop and Tas-T-O’s will be served. Event shirts will also be offered for sale, with the proceeds going directly to GiGi’s Playhouse.

Last year’s event raised $8,000.

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Evergreen Cemetery cleanup is Oct. 17

The City of Ocala Public Works Department will host an Evergreen Cemetery volunteer cleanup day from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17.

Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, located at the 300 block of N.W. Eighth Street. They will assist with cleaning headstones, raking leaves, picking up fallen tree limbs and cleaning up debris.  Participants will be provided with masks and are asked to maintain social distance.

The City of Ocala encourages volunteers to support the restoration and beautification of the Historical Evergreen Cemetery.

For more information, please contact Tom Casey with the City of Ocala Public Works Department at 352-351-6723.

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West Port Rock Pack program receives award

The West Port Rock Pack has been selected to receive the 2021 Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Exemplary Model Program Award as part of the January FMEA Professional Development Conference. Congratulations to Dean Marino and the whole Rock Pack!

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Photo courtesy of Ocala Fire Rescue

Hiers-Baxley’s Hometown Heroes announced

One Firefighter, two Fire Equipment Operators (FEOs), and two Captains were recognized for efforts that proved invaluable in resolving each of the emergencies to which they responded.

Congratulations to Firefighter Shantelle Nichols, Captain Jesse Blaire, FEO Jagger Maguire, Captain John Toms, and FEO Ryan Brady for being recognized as Hiers-Baxley’s Hometown Heroes.

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And the Voter Registration Challenge winner is…

Congratulations to North Marion High School for capturing the 2019-2020 @VoteMarion High School Voter Registration Challenge for convincing the most students to register to vote and become part of the political process.