WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The Alachua County Sheriff's Office saw low attendance at its annual "Coffee With a Cop” event.
Read More »Low community turnout at event hosted by Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
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 »Cape Coral residents deal with limited food and water supplies after Hurricane Ian devastated the area
CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Those impacted by Hurricane Ian on the Gulf Coast were hit hard by flooding and other storm damage, now they’re also facing the prospect of dwindling food and water supplies. The Lee County government announced Saturday that they have opened 8 Points of Distribution (PODS) where residents …
Read More »The Point, Sept. 30, 2022: Hurricane Ian: The scale of devastation, statewide impacts and how you can help
The storm has moved on from Florida, but its impacts are here to stay in many communities.
Read More »What an internal investigation revealed about Gainesville police misconduct after Terrell Bradley’s arrest, and what’s next
Misconduct charges were sustained against five Gainesville police officers. Community members say it won’t change a problematic culture.
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 »Man mauled by police K-9 pleads not guilty to felony charges related to traffic stop that turned violent
Bradley’s next court appearance is Oct. 25.
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 »Original Gainesville activists reconvene, continue marijuana decriminalization battle
While statewide marijuana arrests have dropped, thousands are still arrested. In 2018, about 38,000 people were arrested under marijuana possession charges. By 2020, that number dropped to about 18,000.
Read More »‘Recovery is possible’: UF Health Florida Recovery Center and other recovery organizations try to increase awareness of substance use disorders
A group of people wearing the same blue T-shirts gathered at Depot Park on Saturday. Some were running, while others were walking around the exhibition highlighting practical ways to recover from addiction. “I was an alcoholic for about 35 years. I lost my house, my wife (and) my job. I …
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