It’s an udderly puzzling mystery: Whose Brahman steer did sheriff’s deputies wrangle in a rural community near High Springs? Tongues-in-cheeks, deputies called it a “very high steaks case” and added, “We have a real beef with him wandering around.” Get it? The animal was found last week off Old Bellamy …
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LAFAYETTE, Fla. — Summer crops have been harvested, and the hurricane season is almost over – but Florida farmers now face off-season decisions about how much more adversity they are willing to tolerate. Farmers, who already have one of the most challenging occupations, are still reeling from record-breaking summer heat …
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Arguing that a $1.33 million price tag is unjustified, a medical-marijuana operator is challenging a license-renewal fee boost that came after Gov. Ron DeSantis said pot companies aren’t paying enough to conduct business in Florida. The state Department of Health in December adopted a rule creating a formula that set …
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The 150-mph winds and 13-foot storm surge generated by Hurricane Ian have long receded since the storm made landfall in Florida over a year ago. But beekeepers Michael and Tammy Sadler have spent the days since, 380 and counting, reminded of what the storm took and the damage it left …
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The Lubee Bat Conservancy is working hard to breed rare, exotic bats to support the wild populations of bats across the globe. They promoted this effort with the 19th annual Bat Festival. Event attendees like Tulpa Black, 36, were enthralled by the furry creatures at the festival. “They eat mosquitoes. …
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TALLAHASSEE — After years of legal battling, an administrative law judge Tuesday supported renewing a permit to allow piping hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a day to a North Florida bottling plant. Judge Francine Ffolkes rejected arguments raised by the Florida Springs Council and said the Suwannee River …
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Julianna Witte, 61, watched her two sons grow up in her 11-acre backyard, running wild, letting nature be their teacher. She did not anticipate the backdrop to their childhood would be bulldozed years later. “As widows, we feel deceived, vulnerable and taken advantage of by the county,” Witte said, gazing …
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The North Central Florida terrain is home to what some call an unwanted visitor. In areas like Fort White, Trenton and Bell, packs of coyotes often leave traces behind. From murdered chickens to attacked cats, the area has seen its fair share of encounters. Andrew Nettles is a Trenton, Florida …
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Five months after a housing development plan was approved, homeowners are still trying to find a way to shut it down. The Gainesville 121 development plan was approved by the Gainesville City Commission in April. City commissioners voted 6-1. Mayor Harvey Ward was the only one who voted against the …
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A bill proposed today in the Florida Legislature would allow the killing of bears in self-defense. House Bill 87, proposed by Representative Jason Shoaf, faces an uphill battle as it passes through the legislature. Under the bill, people can kill bears without authorization or permits if the person feels threatened. …
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WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville