Jim Ross
Ocala Star-Banner
Ocala, FL, United States
Contact Jim
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Jim:
2022 Election Preview: Florida House of Representatives contests in Marion County
Marion is part of 5 state House districts. Two incumbents were unopposed, a third is on the November ballot, and two races are contested on Aug. 23. → Read More
Marion commission to spend up to $500,000 more removing tree debris after March 12 tornado
The County Commission last week agreed to spend up to $100K on tree/vegetative removal after the March 12 tornado. But almost $500K more is needed. → Read More
GOLD! Ocala's Erin Jackson wins 500-meter speedskate in Beijing Olympics
Erin Jackson is the first American woman to win the event since Bonnie Blair did it in 1994. Jackson, Brittany Bowe and Joey Mantia are Ocala Olympians. → Read More
Appellate judges, Florida Supreme Court justice secure merit retention
Appellate judges and Florida Supreme Court justices must face voters every six years for an up-or-down retention vote. → Read More
Marion County voters extend 1% sales tax
The measure won overwhelming support from Marion County voters, getting 70 percent of the vote. → Read More
County Commission chooses new chair, thanks David Moore for service
Tuesday was Moore's final commission meeting. He did not seek a third term. → Read More
Man killed by deputies had history of threats, resistance
Saturday’s fatal encounter was the third time this year that Marion County law enforcement had been called to investigate Rick Lee Miller. → Read More
Marion County Commission looks to keep millage rate flat
That will require some cuts in the proposed 2020-21 budget, and likely a delay in pay increases for staff. → Read More
Marion health department staffs up to battle COVID-19
The county is ’getting dangerously close’ to enacting more restrictions, commissioners were told during their Tuesday meeting. → Read More
County Commission cautious as budget season begins
Revenue might be down. “We’re going to have to proceed with extreme caution,” Chairwoman Kathy Bryant said. → Read More
Appeals court upholds murder conviction
Harmless errors not enough to merit a new trial for Silver Springs man. → Read More
Marion County hasn’t heard from DeSantis
Local leaders want the governor to allow more local leeway for the coronavirus reopening. → Read More
Catching up with Ocala’s hospital chaplains
How are they doing during this fraught time? → Read More
Give up the game —for now
Just because we can play golf doesn’t mean we should. → Read More
Marion County Commission apologizes for that late-night call
Jim Ross Some notes from Tuesday’s commission meeting Oops! Some residents received a robo-call late Monday or early Tuesday announcing COVID-19-related closures for Marion County government. Couldn’t that call have been held until a more reasonable hour? The Star-Banner received a complaint. So did county government. “That should not have happened,” County Commission Chairwoman Kathy Bryant… → Read More
Loan program would help Marion County’s small businesses
$500,000 would be available, with local companies able to seek up to $25,000 each. → Read More
Community briefs for Jan. 27, 2020
Senior menuThese meals will be provided by Marion Senior Services, 1101 SW 20th Court, Ocala. Lunch delivered by Meals on Wheels and served at congregate → Read More
Community briefs for Jan. 22, 2020
Veteran meetingsTHURSDAY* VFW Post 4493 and Auxiliary: 7:30 p.m., 11100 SE Maricamp Road (County Road 464), Candler. Call 687-4493 or 347-6304.SATURDAY* → Read More
Community briefs for Jan. 19, 2020
Government meetingsTuesdayCounty Commission: 9 a.m. (2 p.m. zoning hearings), McPherson Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala. Call 438-2323 or visit marioncountyfl.org.Hospital District Board of Trustees and Munroe Regional Health System Grant/Investment/Operations committees: Noon, district office, 1121 SW First Ave., Ocala. Call 622-3662.Ocala City Council: 5 p.m., Council Chambers, 110… → Read More
Religion calendar for Jan. 18, 2020
Jim Ross A look at events coming up in the next week TODAY Women’s Bible study on forgiveness: 9:30-11 a.m. Jan. 18-Feb. 20, Woodside Baptist Church Fellowship Building, 2450 NE 28th St. Ocala. A six-week Precept 40-minute bible study for women on forgiveness. Contact the church office at 861-5571 Monday-Thursday or wbcoffice15@gmail.com to order the $8 book before the class starts. This class… → Read More