Fred Hiers
Ocala Star-Banner
Ocala, FL, United States
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Past articles by Fred:
The voices of addiction: Two men, two stories
'I was born and raised in this town and there have always been drugs here.' → Read More
In the opioid crisis, Marion County struggles
Availability of drugs is having a deadly effect Fred Hiers @Hiersnews When it comes to opioid-related deaths, Marion has the dubious distinction of being near the statistical top among Florida counties. Why does Marion rank so poorly in key metrics? The answer to that question is as difficult to find as the answer to the opioid epidemic itself. In 2016, the latest year for which statistics are… → Read More
Blaming doctors for opioid crisis is easy, but not the whole story
'We were pushed to make pain the fifth vital sign.' → Read More
Wellness center: Success after setbacks
Estella Byrd Whitman Wellness and Community Resource Center to open this month → Read More
44 new beds at West Marion
Hospital gave visitors a peek Friday at its newly opened fourth floor. A fifth floor shell is being created for future expansion. → Read More
Yes or no: Council, mayor pay raise?
A survey soon will ask Ocala voters if they would agree with the mayor and council members getting raises that would put their salaries in line with what other elected officials receive in comparable cities. → Read More
State rejects Munroe's plan for new hospital
Medical center already is working on its next application → Read More
Cost rising for homeless pavilion
But Ocala City Council still behind the project Fred Hiers @Hiersnews It won't be cheap to help Ocala's homeless. Cost estimates for a pavilion to feed and shelter clients have swelled beyond original projections. Engineers are finalizing design for a 30-foot by 82-foot structure on Northwest Second Street. It will be part of the Interfaith Emergency Services campus. The estimated cost has risen… → Read More
Lawsuits dropped against equestrian community
The development will include an equestrian center, hotel and 2,400 homes. It is north of State Road 40, west of Northwest 80th Avenue, east of Northwest 100th Avenue and south of U.S. 27. → Read More
Canada wins Nations Cup qualifier as USA struggles to third-place tie
Team Canada wins Nations Cup qualifier, followed by Team Brazil in second and Team USA and Team Ireland in tie for third. → Read More
Ocala Christian Academy founder dies at 98
The Rev. Jesse Bloom, whose funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, served his country in World War II and founded the Ocala Christian Academy in 1972. → Read More
Lawsuit blocking NW equestrian community could soon be resolved
A legal road block to a proposed high-end, 2,400-home community and equestrian campus west of Ocala will likely get settled Tuesday, when the Marion County Commission is scheduled to vote on a settlement agreement ending a lawsuit threatening the development project.The equestrian and residential center is north of State Road 40, west of Northwest 80th Avenue, east of Northwest 100th Avenue and… → Read More
Parade of Nations, Nations Cup events come to Ocala
A Parade of Nations event in downtown Ocala on Saturday will welcome competitors from around the world for Sunday's Longines FEI Nations Cup event at the HITS Post Time Farm west of Ocala. → Read More
City of Ocala considers survey related to council/mayor pay
The year 1977 was the last time the salary portion for Ocala City Council members and the mayor was increased. → Read More
Ocala wants parking lot now used to feed homeless
The city’s efforts to redevelop its midtown took another step forward Tuesday → Read More
Bull dozers clean up often-cited salvage lot
The Smallwood Auto Salvage property at 601 SW 27th Ave., Ocala, is beginning to look far different in the wake of a cleanup effort that has been going on this week. → Read More
United Way takes stock, looks to future
'The dream is out there for you if you just reach out and grab it.' → Read More
Community meets to encourage racial and cultural cooperation
The results will be part of a report with recommendations and plans the task force will provide county elected officials and community leaders as well as the public. → Read More
Mixed winter event sees $6+ million in horse sales
The Ocala Breeders' Sales' Company's two-day event saw the sale of 407 horses, up from 326 horses sold during the same event last year. → Read More
'A very good day' at OBS Winter Mixed Sales
Sales are up significantly from last year, showing that the market is rebounding → Read More