WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The first event is expected to take place at the High Springs branch on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m.
Read More »Reading program that includes therapy dogs returns to Alachua County libraries
Low community turnout at event hosted by Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office saw low attendance at its annual "Coffee With a Cop” event.
Read More »Two men arrested on charges related to running a human sex trafficking business in a Gainesville group home
Two men were arrested Tuesday and accused of running a human sex trafficking business in a Gainesville group home. The arrests happened at a Gate gas station on 3001 NW 13th Street at 4 p.m. The suspects' identities were confirmed as 20-year-old Kevarius Nyrtell King and 25-year-old Justin Terrel Hoyt. The victim was living in the Safe Hands Group Home, a housing service partnered with homeless shelters and co-owned by King since a little less than a year ago. The two men forced the victim into multiple sexual acts, sometimes without her consent, with dozens of men in the group home. Police were able to report the crime as the victim had told the staff at the Tower Road Branch Library that she was a victim of human trafficking and to alert the authorities. Through a search warrant of the group home, police were able to confirm the identities of King and Hoyt and later arrest and charge them with human sex trafficking. King and Hoyt are currently booked in the Alachua County Jail, each with release bonds set at $250,000.
Read More »Preparing livestock amid Hurricane Ian
Livestock owners preparing for Hurricane Ian have three major concerns: identification, sheltering and power. Livestock can be identified by using ear tags or by spraying numbers onto the cattle using a can of nontoxic spray. Because most barns are not built to withstand hurricane winds, many area farms will leave their cows to weather the storm in open fields. Another concern is keeping power on so well water can be pumped for the livestock to drink.
Read More »The Point, Sept. 28, 2022: What Floridians should expect as Hurricane Ian makes landfall
The storm was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane overnight.
Read More »Alachua County considers plan to partner with Newberry to establish new meat processing center
Alachua County is considering plans to partner with the City of Newberry to construct a new meat processing facility that will serve the entire county and potentially beyond. Alachua County officials want to reorganize the county's food supply lines to be more locally based and independent by constructing the meat processing center in Newberry. Plans for the new facility originate from concerns about the nationwide supply chain issues that have occurred since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More »Need sandbags? Here’s a map
Sandbag information is subject to change based on a multitude of factors including restricted hours and component availability. While we will do our best to keep this information as accurate as possible, please verify the provided information with your local municipality, county or local public safety agency. As Hurricane Ian …
Read More »Florida teachers, parents fearful for future of K-12 education
A month into the new school year, Florida teachers, parents and students are already experiencing state changes to public school curriculum through new state civics standards and education bills.
Read More »West End residents rally for recreational land
The group submitted a zoning application to Alachua County in March and requested West End’s land use change from recreational to low-density residential, where about 70 homes would be built.
Read More »College Board National Scholars program recognizes Alachua County students for academic achievement
College Board recognizes high performing Alachua County high school students from underrepresented groups as national scholars.
Read More »