The staff of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office spent Thursday evening as guest wait staff to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics during their Tip-A-Cop event.

The event, put on by the Centers, aimed to bring awareness to the many children in Marion County who struggle with mental health issues and disabilities.

Residents of the Kanapaha Prairie area southwest of Gainesville are calling for more immediate solutions as floodwaters rise near their neighborhood.

On Tuesday, the board of county commissioners voted to exercise the option to purchase and protect 340 acres of private forests and wetlands.

In a special meeting on Tuesday the county commissioners reviewed a report by their hired consultant, Victus Advisors. Thursday was the first time that both city and county officials had discussed the project publicly.