The canal system in Hernando County would get a closer look under a proposed feasibility study. The Aquatic Services and Waterways Department wants to evaluate areas of concern west of U.S. Highway 19 and develop a dredging plan where appropriate. County Commission Chair John Allocco says a canal restoration project …

The effort to bring a small-scale meat processing facility to Newberry is over. After months of debate over funding the $5.25 million project and how it would operate, the Alachua County Commission voted three-to-two to end further discussion and staff time on the issue. Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler said she thinks …

The union representing Alachua County Fire Rescue employees wants county commissioners to hire more supervisors to oversee firefighters. James Clifford is the management unit representative for Local 3852 of the International Association of Fire Fighters. He said the number of district chiefs with direct supervision has not kept up with …

The new academic year will bring an updated Code of Student Conduct for Marion County Public Schools. Board members gave unanimous approval to the revisions without any comments from the public at Tuesday night’s meeting. The dress code saw the most changes. Shirts now require sleeves, so tank tops and …

Brooksville is more than doubling the size of its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plan area. That will allow properties in the new area to benefit from projects specifically designed to address blight conditions. The existing CRA is approximately 119 acres, and the target area is approximately 128 acres. David Hainley, …

The City of High Springs is taking another look at saving the historic Priest Theatre.The state budget includes $1,040,450 to purchase and renovate the building, but it requires the city to match the appropriation with $250,000.The city commission voted to get an appraisal of the building and an updated structural …

The leaders of Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwannee, and Union counties may form a regional utility. The goal is to consolidate operations for water and wastewater services to be more efficient and reduce expenses. The potential partners think it would also allow them to win more state and federal grant funding …

With Florida’s new permitless carry law in effect, police chiefs and sheriffs want to remind gun owners there are still limits to where you can have a gun. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a Facebook post that concealed firearms are still not allowed in any law enforcement stations …

The Gainesville City Commission is moving forward with the creation of a gun violence prevention task force – slowly. Commissioners agree that it is needed, but also expressed concern with city staff taking on more work as budget cutting eliminates some positions. Mayor Harvey Ward said he wants to proceed cautiously to …

A group of Hernando County residents living along the Mud River wants better regulation of boat rental businesses there and their customers. They made their case to the board of county commissioners at a public meeting earlier this month. They argued the river has become a popular way to get …