PERRY, Fla. – After a hurricane rolls through, a city’s usual worries are cleaning up and rebuilding. Perry wasn’t so lucky. Less than three weeks after Hurricane Idalia hit the town of less than 7,000 people, Perry’s biggest employer announced it would permanently close on Nov. 16. The Georgia-Pacific (GP) …
Read More »School district reverses decision, putting LGBTQ book back on library shelf
The Alachua County school district reversed itself and was putting back into a high school’s library an LGBTQ book that had been challenged under Florida law over graphic references to masturbation and sex. The district said it now deems the complaint about the book invalid after concluding the woman who …
Read More »The Point, Nov. 30, 2023: County project aims to turn motels into housing for homeless
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: A new project looks to create permanent homes as Gainesville grapples with finding temporary housing for the homeless. “Since the approval on Nov. 14, there have not been any residents …
Read More »Gainesville’s city auditor finalists complete last interviews
More than a year has passed since Gainesville’s city auditor resigned and the search for a long-term replacement could end soon. Gainesville City Commission completed interviews Nov. 28 for three finalist candidates for city auditor. The applicants — Thomas Alger, Rory Galter and Stephen Mhere — come from distinct backgrounds …
Read More »The Point, Nov. 29, 2023: Election fraud officer died in hallway of DeSantis’ office
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • Fresh Take Florida: Autopsy: Felon who was GOP congressional nominee in South Florida died from overdose. “Family members of a Republican congressional nominee in South Florida are mourning the death of a …
Read More »The Point, Nov. 28, 2023: Chabad UF increases security after vandalism
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Chabad UF Jewish Student Center increases security after Friday vandalism. “Berl Goldman, a rabbi at the center, said two signs located outside Chabad UF were written over. One of the …
Read More »The Point, Nov. 22, 2023: Stormy weather may impact holiday travel
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • Florida Storms: Thanksgiving outlook: Storms could impact travel, cooler temperatures for most of state on Thanksgiving. “Downpours and gusty thunderstorms could impact pre-Thanksgiving travel across parts of Florida. A cold front that …
Read More »75 years of tradition and history: Camp Crystal Lake shares ‘camp magic’ with Alachua County
Camp Crystal Lake is celebrating its 75th Anniversary by bringing camp alumni together to celebrate the rich history of Alachua County’s community fixture on Crystal Lake. On Saturday, former campers celebrated with the classic Camp Crystal Lake activities, including face painting, arts and crafts, archery and a ropes climbing course. …
Read More »Alachua County investigates a proposal for permanent shipping container housing for the homeless
Alachua County officials are developing new financial details for commissioners to determine if a housing project made from recycled shipping crates at Grace Marketplace is feasible. The company Welding to Recycle is creating these homes. Marketing director Vanessa Alfonzo said that the program will be instrumental in uplifting Alachua County’s …
Read More »Monkey business: Gainesville primate sanctuary builds hurricane-proof facilities
Golden Child, a male capuchin monkey, spent years of his life trapped in solitary confinement in a small metal cage in a laboratory where he was tested in iron-toxicity studies. Today, he receives permanent care at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in North Gainesville, where more than 200 rescued monkeys are …
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