WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Alachua County commissioners are urging the US Environmental Protection Agency to step up testing for chemicals inside the homes around the Koppers Superfund site. County Environmental Protection Director Chris Bird says they are concerned the chemical dioxin has mixed in to household dust. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/10/BIRD1.mp3] He says they EPA has already …
Read More »Another victim tied to serial rapist
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says another attack has been tied to the suspected serial rapist, now potentially linked to 5 sexual assaults over the past few months in Marion and Alachua Counties. Detectives leading the investigation held a news conference this morning with more information on the latest attack and prior …
Read More »Sentence handed down for teen convicted in Seath Jackson murder
One of the five people accused in the death of 15-year-old Seath Jackson has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. 19-year-old Charlie Kay Ely was convicted of first-degree murder last month for her role in the killing. Jackson was in Ely’s home April 17th when he was beaten, …
Read More »Hernando County hoping to place 100 animals
With a few weeks remaining in Adopt a Shelter Pet Month, Hernando County Animal Services is pushing a reduced adoption fee to try to get more animals in to good homes. Animal Services Manager Leanna Teague says it is important now, more than ever, to place these dogs and cats. …
Read More »Ocala expands sandbagging efforts
The City of Ocala is stepping up sandbag distribution efforts to help residents prepare for more severe weather. City Spokesman Sonny Allen says they have extended distribution hours and added another location where people can pick up sandbags for free. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2011/10/ALLEN-22.mp3] Ocala experienced severe flooding early last week because of …
Read More »Charges pending in Suwannee county traffic death
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash which occurred late yesterday on County Road 136 at 98th Terrace in Suwannee County. Live Oak resident Clark Dean Eplin was pushing a golf cart on the side of CR 136 when he was struck by a Toyota Camry driven by 21-year-old …
Read More »Marion County sheriff’s deputies uncover meth lab
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has uncovered a methamphetamine lab with 574 grams of the drug valued at $57,400. Deputies were searching for a warrant suspect at 19955 SE 156th Street in Umatilla when they heard noise coming from a shed behind the home. A search of the shed uncovered …
Read More »Potential lead as the search for a serial rapist continues
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has obtained a surveillance photo identifying the vehicle driven by a man suspected of multiple recent sexual assaults. The vehicle is a 1991 through 1995 Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan, or Chrysler Town and Country. Ocala Police and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are searching for …
Read More »Ocala police search for stabbing suspect
The Ocala Police Department is looking for any information which will lead them to the man responsible for a fatal stabbing last night. Officers responded to the Village Green Apartments on SW 33 Avenue to find Isidro Garcia-Reyes dead from multiple stabbings. Garcia-Reyes was in a verbal altercation with another …
Read More »Ocala city crews still cleaning up from Sunday storm
[audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/OcalaStormFinal.mp3] The wet conditions over the weekend culminated in a heavy downpour for many Ocala residents Monday morning. The amount of rainfall overwhelmed the flood-control systems, swept away trees and caused damage and widespread power outages in areas across the city. Ocala spokesman Sonny Allen says water levels have lessened since …
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