With dozens of vacancies across different local agencies, Alachua County has not been immune to national law enforcement recruitment challenges. As local law enforcement applicant pools dwindle, agencies in Alachua County are launching new efforts to combat recruiting struggles and strengthen their relationship with the community. The Alachua County Sheriff’s …
Read More »Protesters march to City Hall a day after Gov. DeSantis signs permitless carry bill
More than 30 people marched to City Hall to protest a bill signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday that allows Floridians to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit. Among the protestors were members of Moms Demand Action, a group that promotes public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence.
Read More »Buchholz High School teen arrested after online threat
A 15-year-old female student was arrested and charged with three felonies this week. A statement from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office said she posted on Instagram threatening to “shoot up the school.” The sheriff’s office statement said she denied any involvement.
Read More »Gainesville man charged with two counts of first-degree murder is arrested in Michigan
A Gainesville man charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted homicide in connection with a Feb. 2 shooting was arrested Friday in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he had fled, according to the Gainesville Police Department. He is currently in custody at the Alachua County jail. Police …
Read More »Community holds vigil for Alachua County Jail inmate who died while in custody
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Members of the community gathered at Bo Diddley Plaza on Thursday for a night of mourning, remembrance and protest over the death of 32-year-old Marcus Goodman, a Gainesville resident who died at the Alachua County Jail last week. His entire family was present – still visibly hurt …
Read More »All clear after bomb squad called to UF’s campus to investigate suspicious package
After a tense three and a half hours, the University of Florida Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad identified the device found at Turlington Hall Thursday as “research material.”
Read More »Williston businessman sentenced to prison for defrauding federal government
Patrick Walsh, the brother-in-law of indicted former Florida State Rep. Joe Harding, was sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison Tuesday for defrauding the federal government of $7.8 million in COVID-19 aid in 2020.
Read More »Gainesville man who fled country after child porn arrest back in custody
A Gainesville man accused of soliciting minors for nude photos and videos was apprehended in the Dominican Republic by U.S. Marshals and transported back to Alachua County early last week after violating the conditions of his bond by allegedly fleeing the country for the Caribbean, court records show. The Gainesville …
Read More »UF backup quarterback released from jail after child pornography arrest
Florida Gators backup quarterback was released from jail on an $80,000 bond Thursday, hours after his first court appearance in a case involving five felony counts of possessing and distributing child pornography online. According to newly disclosed court records, the case originated with a tip in June – months before …
Read More »43-year-old High Springs cold case reopened after body is identified
Although investigators finally have a name to go with the remains of a man found more than 40 years ago, they have plenty of questions about how Ralph Tufano’s body ended up in the woods near High Springs. In the winter of 1979, James Prince, a Florida Division of Forestry employee, found a skeleton off County Road 236 in High Springs while conducting a controlled burn. Due to the limited technology at the time, the body remained nameless for decades as the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office continued the investigation to identify the victim.
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