WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
This year the Marion County virtual school expanded to 1500 students ranging from those who are doing credit recovery to those who want to take advance placement classes. Marion Virtual Schools franchise manager Carolyn Ayers says she thinks they will continue to grow because they offer quality education. “I think …
Read More »Marion FCAT scores remain at same levels
The state released the 2011 FCAT results. As WUFT-FM’s Chris Peralta reports, Marion County’s results came out about the same when compared to last year, and to the state. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FCATscoreswrap.mp3]
Read More »Ocala family plans to bottle Salt Springs water
The first time the Moody family approached the Marion County Commission for a special use permit to build a bottling plant near their twelve-acre site in Salt Springs, they were denied by a slim majority of 3 to 2. The Moody family revised their proposal: instead of building a large …
Read More »Marion county honors its veterans
A large crowd turned out in Marion County for the Memorial Day Service in the Veteran’s Park. At least 40-thousand veterans live in Marion county. As Jonathan Chandler reports, veterans who served in a wide variety of military service came to remember and honor those veterans who have died through …
Read More »Shorter school week may mean more savings
Marion County Schools are facing a $24 million budget shortfall, and the Superintendent is proposing a four day school week to make up some of this deficit. Public Schools Spokesman Kevin Christian says this looks like the best option and the community has so far been in favor. “It’s something …
Read More »The Ocala/Marion Chamber of Commerce is offering a glimpse of Chinese culture
The Ocala/Marion Chamber of Commerce will host two informational orientations to travel abroad to China during the month of October. The group will host two sessions on June 3rd and June 20th for travelers wishing to experience the wealth of chinese culture first-hand. Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce Director Felicia …
Read More »Marion and Alachua counties pay tribute to fallen law enforcement officers this week
The Annual Marion County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held Thursday in honor of all the law enforcement officers that have lost their lives serving their communities. The event will take place at the McPherson Complex on SE 25th Avenue. Ocala Police Department spokesman Chas Maier says officers should …
Read More »Schools cope with budget cuts
With public schools now looking at how to make up for their reduced budget from the state, Alachua County Assistant Superintendent for Planning and Budget Keith Birkett says the area should be able to maintain current services. “We’ve been intentionally building what we call recurring reserves over the past two …
Read More »Task Force warns of area fire risk
Marion County Fire Officials are urging area residents to use extreme caution if conducting a permitted burn. Fire Rescue Spokeswoman Miranda Iglesias says a Wildland Task Force determined today that the risk of fire in the area is very high. “We’re not quite at the point where we need to …
Read More »Prescription Drug Take Back Day takes aim at growing drug problem
Alachua and Marion County residents will get a chance to turn in old pescription drugs tomorrow, no questions asked. Drugs can be dropped off at local sheriff’s offices from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lowe says the event was successful last year, and they are expecting another large turnout. Alachua …
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