Lyric Lighty

Jacen Mancil never got to take his first steps as a toddler, but that could soon change due to the efforts of a small community in Ocala.

If passed, the proposed bill would require the parents or legal guardians of students institutionalized under the Baker Act to be notified prior to the student’s transportation to a receiving facility. If the student’s parent or guardian is unable to be reached, law enforcement agents are advised to proceed as usual.

After multiple pedestrian deaths in recent weeks along West University Avenue, the regional transportation planning group at a Monday meeting proposed installing additional traffic signals, well-lit crosswalks and temporary speed tables to slow down cars.

Although the state corrections department has seen over 17,000 inmates and 5,000 employees test positive for COVID-19 to date, it has not made known a plan to distribute the vaccine to inmates.