Group used doughnuts to lure bears to be attacked by dogs. Two plotters just pleaded guilty Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner
Florida s Black Bears: How to stay safe around them
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A married couple accused of participating in a horrific bear abuse scheme, where the animals were hunted by packs of dogs for pleasure, have pleaded guilty.
Separately, the man and woman entered their pleas in front of Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti on Thursday.
First up was Charles L. Scarbrough, 32. Standing beside his lawyer, the Callahan man entered his plea on charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering, animal baiting and fighting, unlawful use of a two-way communicating device and unlawful taking of a black bear.
As part of his plea agreement with the statewide prosecutor s office, Scarbrough must testify truthfully against his co-defendants and cooperate with prosecutors.
His sentence, which was deferred, could be anywhere from five years of probation to 25 months in prison. If he goes to prison, then once he s released, he will serve five years on probation.
Next up was his wife, 29-year-old Hannah Weiner Scarbrough, also of Callahan. Scarbrough was ordered to serve five years and three months of probation to run concurrently on charges of unlawful taking of a black bear and unlawful use of a communication device.
According to terms of the agreement, she must pay $3,850.23 to the state for prosecution costs. She also must pay the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission $22,847 for its investigation.
Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series: A series of live, free music concerts is being held Fridays from 7-9 p.m. The May 14 performance will be Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, supported by the Julie Black Band. The concert, at Webb Field, 1510 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, is part of the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series. Concerts will feature an array of cultural performers each week, with a grand finale June 25. Details at ocalafl.org/levittamp. If there is inclement weather, the concert will move indoors to the E.D. Croskey Center.
Sondra Hunt Band: An energy-packed country music concert featuring the Sondra Hunt Band will be held from 5-8 p.m. May 14 in the Grand Plaza at the World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala. Free and open to the public; seating is limited in the plaza; personal chairs are permitted. Visit wec.net or call 414-7500 for details.
Marvin Ayala is new director of OEU
Marvin Ayala has been named the new director for Ocala Electric Utilities. He had been deputy director since August 2018.
Before coming to the City of Ocala, Ayala served as director of electric operations for South Norwalk (Connecticut) Electric and Water, manager of electric field operations for Eversource Energy and supervisor of standard field operations for the United Illuminating Company in Norwalk, according to a city news release. He recently earned an MBA and has a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Manhattan College.
Doug Peebles, who has been with OEU since 2000, was recently promoted to be deputy director.
Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series: A series of live, free music concerts continues from 7-9 p.m. May 7 with a performance by Sideline, supported by Justin Mason and the Blue Nights, at Webb Field, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. This is part of the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series. Concerts will feature an array of cultural performers each week, with a grand finale June 25. Details at ocalafl.org/levittamp. If there is inclement weather the concert will move indoors to the E.D. Croskey Center.
“Now. Here. This.”: The
College of Central Florida Musical Theatre Department will host a virtual spring production of “Now. Here. This.” at 7:30 p.m. May 7-9, online. The show follows the evolution and adventures of a group of friends as they journey through time, from the present to the past and back again, sharing stories about friendship, love, hiding, laughing, living, dying and middle school in an attempt to step directly into that elusive “present moment.” Tickets, free