Josh Kimble

My name is Josh Kimble and for the past four years, I've worked primarily as a sports editor/writer for the Ocala Star-Banner (a newspaper with a circulation of 50,000). While there, I've handled the daily project management for the section, developing content for print and digital media, and curating our website and social media strategy. I'm experienced in crafting and editing stories that are engaging and provide context for a diverse audience and I've become more adaptable working under tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, I have skillsets in photography and videography.

Ocala Star-Banner • 13th July 2021

Former Lake Weir product, NBA All-Star Eddie Johnson leaves behind complicated legacy

Eddie Johnson, a former Lake Weir basketball star, Auburn product and a two-time All-Star for the Atlanta Hawks died late last month at the age of 65, leaving behind a complicated legacy. “Fast Eddie,” as he was nicknamed, grew up in Weirsdale, Florida and attended Lake Weir High School where he graduated in 1973. After continuing his basketball career at the University of Auburn, where he was voted All-SEC three times, Johnson was taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round of the 1977 NBA D

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Ocala Star-Banner • 13th July 2021

Belleview's Jaela Haynes, Lauren Reimsnyder shine as player and pitcher of the year

Belleview's Jaela Haynes, Lauren Reimsnyder shine as player and pitcher of the year The 2021 season was unlike any other for the Belleview softball team. After coming off a COVID-shortened season and losing eight seniors from last year’s squad, this season’s Belleview team was young and inexperienced and led by just four seniors and only two returning starters. Despite their inexperience, the Rattlers finished the season 21-8 and made a trip to the FHSAA Class 4A Region Finals - their furthes

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https://www.wcjb.com • 13th July 2021

UF infectious disease expert talks herd immunity and its role in the end of the pandemic

To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - With more than 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine already administered across the US, a UF Health infectious disease expert is talking about herd immunity and what it means for the end of the pandemic. Herd immunity means that enough people have immunity to an illness that even if one person gets infected within a group, it doesn’t

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https://www.wcjb.com • 13th July 2021

City and county leaders break ground on new hotel and mixed-use development in downtown Gainesville

To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - City and county leaders broke ground Friday on a new hotel and mixed-use development planned for downtown Gainesville. The Hyatt Place hotel is expected to offer 145 guestrooms with a second-floor elevated pool, free WiFi, 24-hour food and 18-hundred square feet of meeting space. The ground floor will feature retail space while the other

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Ocala Star-Banner • 13th July 2021

Undefeated Forest boys volleyball eager for shot in state quarterfinals

For the Forest boys volleyball team, this has been a season unlike any other. And despite this being just the program’s third year in existence, that really can be said without any hyperbole. On top of dealing with all of the typical challenges that an average season brings, not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic and even a last-minute coaching search, Forest has defied all odds, making it to the state playoffs undefeated in just its first year of postseason eligibility. The Wildcats are led by

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Ocala Star-Banner • 13th July 2021

Marion County leading North Central Florida in Power 5 football recruits

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who follows NCAA football recruiting that South Florida, and specifically Broward County, take the crown when it comes to producing Power 5 talent in the state. However, while Broward (164 P5 signees in the last 5 years) may be the king, Marion County can hold its head high for leading its own region of the state. A study found that of 41 counties in Florida (and two private boarding schools: IMG Academy and Clearwater Academy International) that have

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Ocala Star-Banner • 13th July 2021

Longtime Ocala educator and coach, Howard Conrad, has passed away

Longtime Ocala educator and coach, Howard Conrad, has passed away One of North Central Florida’s longtime educators and coaches, Howard Conrad, has passed away. Conrad’s teaching and coaching career spanned five decades, including 22 years in North Central Florida where he spent time at Forest, Lake Weir and The Villages high schools. Throughout his tenure, Conrad became known not just for his wealth of knowledge in both the classroom and on the court, but as a mentor to thousands of athletes

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Ocala Star-Banner • 13th July 2021

Tigers hold off Knights in region finals

No matter when or where they meet, the encounters on the gridiron between the Dunnellon Tigers and the Vanguard Knights never seem to disappoint. The games become battles, and, more often than not it seems, the final blow doesn’t come until the last possession. The Tigers claimed the first victory of this season, winning on Oct. 23 when quarterback Trent Townsend found Le’Var Fitzpatrick in the end zone in the game’s dying seconds. Now, six weeks removed from their previous encounter, the top

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Ocala Star-Banner • 13th July 2021

Pre-spring Top 10 football recruits: No. 1-5

The Star-Banner’s pre-spring Top 10 highlights the top rising senior recruits in Marion County. The list is intended to be a reflection of how colleges are recruiting the area. Below is No. 1-5 on the pre-spring Top 10. Note: Information such as college offers and height/weight come from recruiting sites 247Sports and Rivals. Coach Steve Rhem: "He's the real deal. Always the hardest working guy in the room. He came over (from Vanguard) last year and he picked up everything on both sides of the

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https://www.wcjb.com • 13th July 2021

UF Health opens new location for mobile outreach clinic on Fridays

To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - UF Health’s Mobile Outreach Clinic is adding a new location in East Gainesville - one day a week. The clinic, which is free and open to the public, will be stationed at the Gainesville Technology Entrepreneurship Center, or GTEC, every Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic offers primary care services, prescriptions and a limited suppl