Ginnie Springs has updated its alcohol and open-container policies, now restricting drinking to designated campsites only — changes made roughly two years after two fatal shootings at the popular High Springs attraction. Management posted the revised rules prominently on their website last month. Gilchrist County Sheriff’s deputies, while not part of on-site security at the springs, are deploying extra patrols across the county for the holiday weekend.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya told the City Commission that domestic violence represents a growing concern, noting GPD handled 2,347 domestic disturbance calls and recorded 1,649 domestic or dating violence incidents in 2025, with 810 disturbance calls already logged through late April of this year. As part of an expanded strategy, Moya announced the addition of a Criminal Investigations Bureau detective dedicated to domestic and dating violence cases, alongside continued use of the Lethality Assessment Program to connect high-risk victims with advocacy and support services. Mayor Harvey Ward endorsed the approach, emphasizing community-wide collaboration to reach victims before violence escalates.
Sources: The Gainesville Sun · City of Gainesville · Mainstreet Daily News
Alachua County sheriff’s deputies are stepping up patrols on open lakes this Memorial Day weekend after drought conditions forced Newnans Lake to close to boating, a closure expected to push heavier traffic onto other area waterways. Deputies are reminding boaters to reduce speed, wear life jackets, and avoid operating boats while impaired, and will be checking that all vessels carry Coast Guard-approved safety equipment. AAA projects more than 39 million Americans will drive over the holiday weekend, with north-central Florida roads and waterways already seeing increased congestion.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Alachua County deputies arrested a 25-year-old High Springs man Tuesday evening after an extensive search following a reported robbery and physical altercation. The suspect allegedly choked the victim, took his phone and car keys, and fled into nearby woods before K9 teams and an aviation unit tracked him down. Deputies located him inside a large sinkhole around 7:30 p.m. and took him into custody without further incident.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Alachua County sheriff’s deputies pulled over 18-year-old Gladimyr Lebrun on Southwest 20th Avenue in Gainesville for traffic violations and discovered a loaded firearm that had been stolen in Orlando. Lebrun, who is currently serving juvenile probation for a prior gun charge, also admitted to marijuana use during the stop. He is being held without bond on charges of grand theft and unlawful carry of a firearm.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Alachua County deputies arrested 20-year-old Mikale Fuye on Wednesday after connecting him to a residential burglary in which approximately $6,000 in cash, gold jewelry, and a firearm were stolen. Deputies identified Fuye through security footage showing a vehicle registered in his name near the scene, where they found a pried-open garage door and broken windows. When deputies stopped his vehicle, Fuye attempted to flee, rear-ending an SUV and driving into a ditch before being apprehended on foot and charged with firearm possession and fleeing.
Sources: WCJB TV20
