In March, the “Abandoned and Historic Cemeteries” bill, sponsored by Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D- Tampa, was stalled without ever coming to a full House vote. The bill would have enacted some recommendations of a state task force that spent a year researching abandoned cemeteries.
Read More »Florida city with infamous racial stain earns surprise state grant to repair its abandoned Black cemetery
It was almost like a miracle touched the abandoned, historic Black cemetery in Groveland, just west of Orlando. After the state rejected the city’s application for $499,000 to restore a graveyard where 70 souls are believed to be buried, Groveland unexpectedly got word a few weeks ago the funds were …
Read More »After defeat, Tampa lawmakers vow to push abandoned Black cemeteries bill in next session
The state senator who proposed a bill to catalog and restore abandoned African American cemeteries across Florida said she is disappointed the legislation died in the just-ended session at the Capitol but isn’t giving up the fight. Sen. Janet Cruz, D- Tampa, said she was very frustrated her bill was …
Read More »‘Slaves built the Capitol’: Advocate for abandoned Black cemeteries criticizes Florida senators
A leading advocate for abandoned Black cemeteries sharply criticized Florida lawmakers for killing a bill that would have helped identify, protect and restore burial grounds across the state. “I want to know, many of these legislators, where are they from?” asked Gloria Jefferson Anderson, who is leading the cemetery restoration …
Read More »After emotional debate, GOP-led Florida Senate passes ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill,’ awaits DeSantis’ signature
The Florida Senate on Tuesday gave final passage to a bill that would restrict classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity and the measure now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it. The Parental Rights in Education bill – what critics have labeled the “Don’t …
Read More »‘Forgotten people’: Florida lawmakers aim to recognize, protect abandoned African-American cemeteries
For over 25 years, Gloria Jefferson Anderson researched her father’s side of the family, trying to figure out what happened to her ancestors once slavery ended. “When I found out where my father’s people were on the plantation – the next question was, ‘Well, where are these people buried?” said …
Read More »Hawthorne declines land parcels
Alachua County wants some lands parcels to be taken over in Hawthorne. The county asked the city to take it on, but the offer was declined. WUFT takes us to the area and finds out why there is an issue.
Read More »A Newberry gun shop was broken into on Black Friday, thousands of dollars in property stolen
At 3:15 a.m. the morning after Thanksgiving Day, ArchAngel Gunsmithing and Outfitters was broken into. Lee and Casey Mason, owners of the Newberry gun shop, said the front door was forcefully ripped open by two men using a stolen truck. The two men who broke in took a total of six …
Read More »Children Beyond Our Borders hosts free salsa lessons to improve education in Colombia
Children Beyond Our Borders hosted a salsa dancing event in downtown Gainesville to raise funds for its local and international programs.
Read More »Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Gainesville raises over $101,000
Altogether, the event helped raise over $101,000 towards breast cancer research.
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