With widespread power outages occurring in different counties across the state, WUFT’s Elliot Tritto spoke with Duke Energy spokesperson Ben Williamson about what Duke is doing in response to Hurricane Idalia. Ben Williamson: Currently I’m staged kind of, uh, in the middle of the state at our largest staging area. …
Read More »A Tallahassee teacher describes Hurricane Idalia’s impacts
Hurricane Idalia has made landfall in Florida, where flooding is already being reported. WUFT’s Elliot Tritto spoke with Michela Gray, a recent Florida State graduate and teacher who lives in Tallahassee. Elliot Tritto: You told me that there was something wrong with the shelter, or one of the high schools, …
Read More »Hernando County considers canal management feasibility study
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 …
Read More »The idea of a meat processing facility spoiled for too many Alachua County commissioners
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 …
Read More »Firefighters’ union wants Alachua County to hire more supervisors
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 …
Read More »UF researchers study ghost shark and its teeth regeneration abilities
WUFT · Ghost shark research University of Florida researchers explored the Pacific Northwest’s deep waters this summer to learn about the mystifying ghost shark. The researchers discovered a way to locate ghost shark eggs using remotely-operated vehicles. From there, the researchers can study the shark’s teeth to understand teeth regeneration …
Read More »Code of Student Conduct updated for Marion County Public Schools
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 …
Read More »Interview with UF Cancer Center Director Dr. Jonathan Licht
Florida ranks second in the nation in cancer cases, and those who receive this unfortunate diagnosis naturally look for hope in the form of advanced treatment and clinical trials. The National Cancer Institute’s “Cancer Centers” program recognizes institutions that lead the way in research, and this year the UF Cancer …
Read More »UPS employee charged with grand theft
An Ocala United Parcel Service employee was arrested Wednesday and charged with grand theft after police said he attempted to sell stolen merchandise on Facebook Marketplace. The employee, 33-year-old Jose Flores Franco, was caught trying to sell around $12,000 worth of electronics and jewelry he stole from UPS packages, according …
Read More »Brooksville expands community redevelopment area
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, …
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