WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • Gainesville Sun ($): Sheriff Clovis Watson chose not to give employees 7% raise despite having funds to do so. “Alachua County officials are asking Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr. to account for millions of …
Read More »In Williston, peanuts reign supreme
About 5,000 people turned out for the Central Florida Peanut Festival in Williston earlier this month. Festivalgoers celebrate one of the town’s main crops, crown a King and Queen and pig out on peanuts.
Read More »Alachua County Friends of the Library Book Sale concludes another fall chapter
Michael Douglas has been coming to the Friends of the Library Book Sale since he could walk. The third-generation Gator said that the book sale held at 430 N. Main St. is a “tradition” in his family and has “never let him down.” “The genre of books and materials I …
Read More »Despite the pandemic and protests, Ocala Pride Fest is back and booming
Not for eight hours did the stage at the downtown Ocala Square go quiet during this year’s Ocala Pride Fest. Between live performances by local bands, vocalists and the dazzling drag queens and kings, Ocala’s downtown shimmered with the celebration of LGBTQ pride.
Read More »Ocala Pride Inc. leaders say Saturday’s return of Pride Fest is needed now more than ever
After two years of cancellations due to COVID-19, Ocala Pride Fest is back to celebrate LGBTQ culture with vendors, live music performances and an assortment of food. The Fest will take place at the downtown Ocala Square, 1 Northeast 1st Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday The event organizers, Ocala Pride Inc., say that Pride Fest is needed now more than ever in light of the discourse around LGBTQ equality taking root in Florida and reverberating around the country. Coming after legislation like the Parental Rights in Education bill, or the “Don’t Say Gay” bill as its dubbed by critics, LGBTQ rights in Florida will take center stage in Ocala this weekend.
Read More »Ocala woman suffers home damage after Hurricane Ian
Wanda Follins was doing her daily morning devotional in bed when she heard the cracking.
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 »The Point, Sept. 14, 2022: Gainesville police arrest man over threats about city’s zoning plan
Police on Monday arrested Terry Lyle Martin-Back, 68, of Gainesville at his home outside the city limits on a felony intimidation complaint of sending a written threat to city commissioners.
Read More »Florida blimp magnate pleads guilty to stealing nearly $8 million in US pandemic aid
An international blimp magnate in north-central Florida will be sentenced in January in federal court after he pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal government of nearly $8 million in relief aid meant to help average Americans during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to court records. Executive Patrick P. …
Read More »The Point, June 29, 2022: Alachua County School District Reverses Decision, Will Not Enforce Clear Backpack Policy Next School Year
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WCJB TV20: Alachua County School District reverses clear backpack rule after backlash from parents. “One day after announcing clear backpacks will be required for middle and high school students, Alachua County Public …
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