WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • Ocala Gazette: State Rep. Joe Harding resigns. “Marion County Supervisor of Elections, Wesley Wilcox, indicated that a special election would likely be ordered by the Secretary of State- but when that election …
Read More »Alachua County Commission selects new chair, approves $340,000 in federal aid for landlord utility rental assistance initiative
The Alachua County Commission elected a new chair and vice chair at its special meeting Tuesday before voting to use millions in federal aid on several initiatives, including a pilot program meant to help local landlords make their properties more energy efficient.
Read More »This RTS driver tries to spread holiday joy — every day — via his bus header
For one Gainesville bus driver, it’s the holiday season year-round. January through December, Steven Sowders displays “happy holidays” on his bus header to celebrate a national holiday, big or small, every day. Sowders has worked for the Gainesville Regional Transit System for nearly eight years. For most of that time, …
Read More »The Point, Nov. 29, 2022: Gainesville City Commission struggles to fill officer positions
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Gainesville City Commission struggles to fill officer positions. “The Gainesville City Commission currently has five of its six charter officer positions vacant.” • Gainesville Sun ($): Gainesville police investigating fatal …
Read More »Homeless, broken woman struck by sheriff’s deputy in crash seeks $15 million from Florida lawmakers
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Julia “Jenny” Perez says her life was destroyed by a sheriff’s deputy who slammed his cruiser into her motorcycle and was found to be at fault. Her lawsuit has languished in the courts for years. Now, a desperate Perez – unable to work, homeless and in …
Read More »Weather, record number of travelers, could slow Thanksgiving commute
Floridians traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday could run into heavy rain, flooding and busy roads along the way. This could be the busiest week of Thanksgiving travel in Florida since 2005, according to AAA. A staggering 2.9 million drivers are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. …
Read More »Woman whose boyfriend died in crash urges judge never to allow other driver behind wheel
A woman in a 2018 collision on a motorcycle with her boyfriend – who died in the crash – told the judge she found forgiveness toward the other driver accused of driving under the influence of marijuana, until she learned about the man’s driving history. Now she’s asking the judge …
Read More »One of Florida’s popular destinations for rally racing? It’s in Starke
It may not be the Daytona International Speedway or the Sebring International Raceway, but the Florida International Rally and Motorsports Park (FIRM) in Starke is one of the only places in the nation that offers European rally racing. And that’s not all they’re up to. “Think of it like Disney …
Read More »Transition from trucker to CBD sales was a healing journey
Local hemp farmer Tyler Griffin said his path to helping people heal from pain and other discomforts has been full of interesting turns. Griffin is the owner and founder of Southern Sun, a company that specializes in quality, all-natural and affordable CBD products. The hemp used to produce Southern Sun’s products is homegrown at his family’s farm in Archer, Florida.
Read More »Gainesville residents call on city commission to abolish K9 unit
The Gainesville City Commission's special meeting on the K9 unit largely pitted law enforcement officers pleading to preserve the unit against community members calling to dismantle it.
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