WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
This year marks the centennial anniversary of the massacre in the town of Rosewood. WUFT’s Kristin Moorehead spoke to University of Florida history professor Steve Noll about the significance of this event. Editor’s note: This interview transcript and the audio above have been edited for length and clarity. Transcript: KRISTIN …
Read More »Gainesville homeless campers told to move by Dec. 1
The camp is a microcosm of both this year’s housing crisis and the cracks in the local shelter system. Its uncertain future hints at what may be ahead for many more.
Read More »Gainesville man who disappeared during trial sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a minor
Nineteen-year-old Ian Gabriel Montero-Lopez, who disappeared while on trial for sexually assaulting a minor last Christmas Eve, was sentenced to life in prison in absentia on Thursday. Montero-Lopez, who was 18 at the time, met the underage victim on Snapchat the week before the assault. He pressured the victim into meeting him at her residence, where he gave the victim narcotics and sexually assaulted her. He was later arrested by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office after being identified in a photo lineup by the victim. He disappeared during the jury selection phase of his trial. He was found guilty in absentia of one count of sexual battery on a child 12-17 years of age and on one count of sexual battery with use of physical force. Law enforcement does not currently know his whereabouts. A warrant is out for his arrest.
Read More »Gainesville residents call on city commission to abolish K9 unit
The Gainesville City Commission's special meeting on the K9 unit largely pitted law enforcement officers pleading to preserve the unit against community members calling to dismantle it.
Read More »The Point, Sept. 22, 2022: National Hurricane Center eyes system that could become Tropical Storm Hermine
A storm by the same name blew through the Gulf of Mexico in 2016. This year, a different system could follow a similar path.
Read More »Criminal case moving forward again for suspect in violent sexual assault of UF student
Antwine Johnson, a 32-year-old Gainesville man, attended a short hearing Wednesday before Judge Phillip Pena for his felony cases involving an alleged kidnapping and rape. On Sept. 20, 2021, Johnson allegedly kidnapped and attempted to sexually assault a woman jogging on the side of the road. The same morning, he dragged a woman from her front doorstep, beat her behind bushes, raped her and stole her phone, leaving her unable to call for help. Later the same morning, he is accused of felony battery of his girlfriend. Johnson was arrested soon after and has been held in jail since. Johnson will appear in court again next week for misdemeanor charges for disobeying the judge’s orders not to contact any of the alleged victims when he tried sending a postcard to his girlfriend. Johnson will appear for a case management hearing on Oct. 26 for the charges of kidnapping, battery and rape.
Read More »The Point, Aug. 22, 2022: ‘Watershed’ series examines impact of Florida’s ‘overtourism’ problem
What happens when crushing numbers of visitors harm the natural environment that draws them?
Read More »The Point, Aug. 19, 2022: The complexities of a Florida teen’s abortion case
A judge ruled that a parentless 16-year-old in Escambia County was not mature enough to have an abortion.
Read More »The Point, Aug. 17, 2022: Gainesville’s controversial zoning changes could take effect as soon as October
They face county and state review, plus another vote by the city commissioners.
Read More »The Point, Aug. 3, 2022: Site of Surfside condo collapse sold for $120 million
The Miami Herald reports it will eventually be redeveloped into new condominiums.
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