The Point

The Point, July 14, 2023: Man who shot neighborhood burglar takes plea deal

By WUFT News,

WUFT News

Published July 14, 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

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The stories near you

• Fresh Take Florida: One night, two lives changed forever: Case against shooter of neighborhood burglar ends in plea deal. "A man who saw a teenager burglarizing a neighbor’s vehicle in the middle of the night and shot him in the back as he walked away in the dark has agreed to a plea deal that could send him to prison for up to 15 years."

• Mainstreet Daily News: UFPD searches for athletics center burglars. "According to a UFPD social media release, the four unidentified individuals burglarized the athletic center at approximately 2 a.m. The suspects stole merchandise and property that included football equipment and apparel."

• Gainesville Sun ($): Travelers get another option for flights at Gainesville Regional Airport. "Silver Airways announced that beginning Aug. 21, it will offer a nonstop route from Gainesville (GNV) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)."

• Mainstreet Daily News: High Springs to review options for Priest Theatre. "Built in 1910, community members came forward at Thursday’s meeting remembering Saturday matinee showings for only 10 cents and asking the city to help save the historic landmark."

• WCJB: Gainesville UPS workers practice picketing in anticipation of strike. "The workers took to the streets holding brown and yellow signs that read 'just practicing for a just contract' outside the UPS hub in Gainesville."

• Mainstreet Daily News: GNV4ALL to open early childhood learning center. "After years of pushing plans and raising funds, Gainesville For All (GNV4ALL) is preparing to open the Gainesville Empowerment Zone Family Learning Center on Aug. 10."

• WUFT News: Pianist Charu Sari to play at Ocala’s Reilly Arts Center. "WUFT’s All Things Considered host Dana Hill spoke to Charu Suri about how the improvisational nature of her music results in new musical experiences night after night."

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Around the state

• News Service of Florida: ‘Preposterous’: Disney CEO disputes DeSantis’ assertions. "Appearing Thursday on CNBC’s 'Squawk Box,' Iger also defended the company’s right to question a 2022 Florida law that restricted instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools. The company’s opposition to the law sparked the feud with DeSantis and his Republican allies in the Legislature."

• WJCT-Jacksonville: Here's why you may not get a ballot to vote by mail. "Under a Florida law approved two years ago, requests for mail ballots are good for only one general election cycle. So unless you signed up for a vote-by-mail ballot for last spring's election, your request has expired."

• WMFE-Orlando: Malaria concerns have Polk mosquito control working extra hours. "Polk has over 500 lakes for possible breeding, and also plenty of flooded-out areas thanks to summer rainfall. Despite the daunting task of covering a large area, Mosely is confident malaria won’t spread up to Central Florida."

• WGCU-Fort Myers: Brace yourself Floridians, the promised insurance relief isn't expected soon, could get worse. "It appears the financial relief promised when state legislators passed significant insurance tort reform at the end of 2022, isn’t expected anytime soon."

• WLRN-Miami: FAU faculty, top donor outraged by suspension of presidential search. "Florida Atlantic University faculty members and supporters are calling foul over the school’s decision to suspend its presidential search at the request of state officials. The complaints from the state came after an ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis — Republican State Rep. Randy Fine — was not named as one of the three finalists for the job."

• WTSP-Tampa: Feral hogs captured in Manatee County ending up on local restaurant plates with new program. "The swines, which are not native to the Sunshine State, were brought by early settlers and are often seen as destructive."

• WFTS-Tampa Bay: Unshaded playground equipment can get hot enough to cause 2nd-degree burns. "We walked around Carrollwood Village Park with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue on Thursday morning as they used a thermal imaging camera. It showed some equipment in the triple digits."