WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
A former wastewater spray field in Lake City is now a 121-acre wetlands project that is part of a $100 million statewide springs restoration initiative.
Read More »Lake City Wetlands Project One of Many Improving Springs’ Water Quality And Quantity
Untold Florida: Where Was The Town Of Gracy?
Sam Goforth knows he’ll never discover everything about his ancestors, but finding out what he can is a trip worth taking.
Read More »Alachua County Commission Decides To Repeal Plastic Ban After Lawsuit Threat
Deliberation on the motion to appeal Alachua County's ban on Styrofoam carry-out containers and single-use plastic bags took less than 20 minutes.
Read More »Newberry Could Have A New Police Presence In 2020
The Newberry City Commission consolidated its options for a law enforcement contract Monday night. Now they must decide whether to renew with Alachua County Sheriff's Office or enter into a contract with High Springs Police Department.
Read More »Sandy Soil And Rising Seas Spell Septic Tank Disaster In Florida
By Brendan Rivers Communities across Florida are already grappling with aging septic tanks, which leak into groundwater and are considered a leading cause of toxic algae blooms. As sea level rise is expected to worsen that situation, the state and cities are beginning to tackle the expensive task of converting septic systems to sewer or newer septic technologies. It’s no small challenge. Floridians are estimated to be using 2.6 million septic systems, most of them the conventional variety with two
Read More »These Eco-Friendly Homes Are Built To Weather The Storm
By Heather Schatz After last year’s Hurricane Michael decimated parts of the Florida Panhandle, North Florida’s building codes are getting renewed scrutiny. Increasingly, all Florida residents need homes that can stand up to the strongest storms, and they increasingly want those homes to come with environmentally sustainable features and building methods. Enter Palm Beach Gardens-based Green Dwellings. Karen Adams is the custom home builder’s CEO. Melissa Ross: What goes into Green Dwellings? Karen Adams: The homes are unique in that
Read More »Downtown Businesses Leery Over Closing Of Dignity Village
Dignity Village is set to close by 2020. While housing options are being provided for the homeless people who live there, some are expected to reject the help.
Read More »Urban Food: A Solution to Hunger?
Food pantries that rely on donations often face problems providing healthy food to low-resource populations. One partial solution for people who depend on food pantries in Gainesville is foraging and gardening to obtain fruits and vegetables.
Read More »Storm Season Could Be Met With ‘Skittishness’
Saturday marks the start of the six-month long Atlantic hurricane season, and with the destruction of Hurricane Michael still visible, Florida residents may have a heightened sense of skittishness when it comes to perceived hurricane threats.
Read More »Recovering Hope: The Upward Climb To Normalcy Six Months After Hurricane Michael
Bay County residents still face massive struggles, including homelessness, six months after Hurricane Michael.
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