TALLAHASSEE — As the 2023 hurricane season starts, memories are still fresh of Hurricane Ian causing billions of dollars in damage and pushing water across Southwest Florida barrier islands. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a “near-normal” 2023 hurricane season, which will begin Thursday. One positive sign is …
Read More »The Point, May 26, 2023: Alachua County Sheriff loses employee lawsuits
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WCJB: Judge rules against Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson in employee lawsuits. “Eighth Circuit Judge Donna Keim issued an order granting ‘extraordinary relief’ in three cases involving employees of the Alachua County …
Read More »Water management districts want visitors to enjoy springs, rivers responsibly
Before Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer, Florida’s water management districts want to remind visitors to springs and rivers to leave no litter and protect nature. Troy Roberts with the Suwannee River Water Management District said trash takes away from an area’s natural beauty. It is also …
Read More »Gainesville Human Rights Board perseveres amid cancellations
After months of canceled meetings and missing members, the Gainesville Human Rights Board has begun to find its footing this year. Of the 29 Gainesville city advisory boards, the Human Rights Board is one of the two sole quasi-judicial boards, meaning it can hear legal cases and enforce rulings. It …
Read More »Alachua County law enforcement agencies seek recruiting solutions
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 »Ahead of MLB Draft, Wyatt Langford is living out his dreams as a Gator
Returning home after a rough game when he was about 10 years old, Wyatt Langford went missing. Wyatt had struck out a few times in the game and his competitive nature took over once he had got home. He went to work on his swing. His dad, Michael, wondered to …
Read More »Resilient Cedar Key flooding vulnerability map
A new tool is available to help residents of Cedar Key prepare for flooding events. A grant from the Resilient Florida program funded the online program that allows users to explore flood vulnerability maps on and around Cedar Key. Savanna Barry is a Florida Sea Grant extension agent who specializes …
Read More »Hurricane Preparedness Week begins in Florida
Prepping for hurricane season starts with knowing your risks. Hurricanes are much more than just a coastal problem, so knowing what types of water and wind hazards could happen where you live is critical to your safety. The goal is to create that peace of mind by being fully prepared …
Read More »Gainesville’s Kind Kitty Rescue takes on critical cases involving neonatal kittens
Kind Kitty Rescue, a neonatal kitten rescue in Alachua County, cares for newborn kittens in need of specialized care.
Read More »Alachua County Public Schools seeks to build better future for Westwood Middle
Community leaders, parents and teachers gathered at Westwood Middle School on Monday morning to celebrate the school’s “Raising the Wall” ceremony. Beginning with speeches from school district administrators and the developers behind the renovations, the ceremony reached its end once the first of many two-story concrete walls was lifted into …
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