WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Marion County Sheriff’s officials and detectives are working to uncover a body found in the Florida Highlands, off of Southwest 105th Avenue. Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jenifer Lowe says the body has not yet identified. “They were led to this particular piece of property from a lead on an …
Read More »Wildfires still burning in North Central Florida
North Central Florida firefighters continue working to contain 8 fires still burning in the area. Division of Forestry Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Ludie Bond says current weather conditions make it very difficult to completely kill the fires. “We have not had significant rainfall, enough to put these fires completely out. So, …
Read More »Marion County school employee faces fraud charges
Saddlewood Elementary School bookkeeper Debra Lemily faces charges of organized fraud. She was arrested Thursday when an auditor noticed missing funds from the school’s account. Marion County Public School Spokesman Kevin Christian says Lemily’s arrest was surprising. “This particular employee has been with us since 1980. She has glowing remarks …
Read More »Marion County school board talks transportation
As the state and other governmental agencies deal with tight budgets, the public might be noticing the use of a the term, privatization , as a means of saving money by turning over certain functions to private companies. And so, Marion County’s school board is hearing from private firms, who …
Read More »Marion County man dies during permitted burn
One Marion County resident died yesterday when he lost control of a fire on his property. 66-year-old Warren Wimberly had a permit to burn 2 acres of land, but a heavy gust of wind spread the fire. Florida Division of Forestry spokeswoman Ludie Bond says wind can greatly increase the …
Read More »Man with revoked medical license was treating patients
An Ocala man, who had his medical license revoked 15 years ago, has been arrested for practicing medicine without a license. Yaser Hasan Loufti, also known as Doctor Lou, had been practicing chelation, which cleanses the blood of heavy metals. Marion County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Judge Cochran says Loufti’s patients …
Read More »35 cats seized from Marion County home
Marion County Animal Services is trying to gain legal custody of the 35 cats seized from a Silver Springs home earlier this week. Animal Services Program Coordinator Elaine DeIorio says the cats were taken from Nelly Vega, who was convicted of animal cruelty in 2006. “These types of people will …
Read More »Silver Springs may be in for big changes
An historic tourist attraction in North Central Florida could be in for some changes. The Marion County Commission is considering taking over the operations of the Silver Springs attraction.
Read More »Marion County residents encouraged to recycle this weekend
This weekend Marion County residents have an opportunity to dispose of a variety of household items free of charge in a special recycling event. Phillips Marks reports. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPPhillipMarksRecyclingWrap.mp3]
Read More »New Florida Springs Institute will serve as an umbrella organization to collect data and raise awareness of Florida’s springs
On Tuesday night the Marion County Commission will continue discussion about potentially taking over the operation of the Silver Springs attraction. One researcher planning to attend that meeting is Bob Knight. Knight did his doctoral research on the Silver River back in the 1970s under the guidance of the late …
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