Law firm files public records request over High Springs financial crisis

A law firm representing High Springs business owners has submitted a public records request to the city seeking financial documents, as the municipality faces a fiscal crisis that includes years of missing audits and unresolved budget questions. Business owner John Millett, who pays into the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, says his own requests for budget information have gone unanswered, and a promised second grant never materialized. City commissioners have yet to respond to the firm’s records request.

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Sources: WCJB TV20

Developers propose 2,700-unit Everlee neighborhood with working farm off Parker Road

The Roberts Company is seeking to build a 2,700-unit mixed-use development called the Everlee Project on a 900-acre portion of a 4,000-acre property off Parker Road in Alachua County. The project would combine residential and commercial space with a 200-acre working farm, with the remainder of the larger property under UF/IFAS stewardship or reserved for a future UF golf course. The developer says integrating agriculture and trail access into the neighborhood is central to the project’s vision.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Federal judge hears UF student’s free-speech challenge to expulsion over online posts

A federal judge heard arguments in a case brought by a University of Florida student who was expelled and is now contesting that punishment on free-speech grounds. The dispute centers on whether the university’s action against the student over online posts violated First Amendment protections. No ruling was immediately reported.

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Sources: The Gainesville Sun

UF to hold public forums June 3 with presidential finalist Dr. Stuart Bell

The University of Florida will host three open forums on June 3 at Emerson Alumni Hall for the campus community to meet Dr. Stuart Bell, the sole finalist recommended by the UF Presidential Search Committee to become the university’s 14th president. Bell previously served a decade as president of the University of Alabama, where he was credited with improving national rankings, enrollment, and campus facilities. Separate sessions are scheduled for faculty, students, and administrators and staff throughout the afternoon.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Gainesville man sentenced to 25 years for distributing child pornography

Joshua Bryan, 39, received a 25-year prison sentence last week after violating probation related to charges of sharing child pornography online, according to Gainesville police. Bryan had previously served four years following a 2021 arrest on similar offenses. Additional charges against him are still pending sentencing.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Alachua County agencies hold largest-ever active shooter drill in downtown Gainesville

Law enforcement and first responders from Alachua County carried out a major active shooter training exercise Wednesday morning in downtown Gainesville, temporarily closing portions of University Avenue and nearby roads. Officials described it as the largest such drill they have ever conducted, running multiple scenarios designed to simulate realistic emergency conditions.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Judge weighs Stand Your Ground defense in Ginnie Springs murder case

A Gilchrist County judge heard testimony Wednesday in a Stand Your Ground immunity hearing for Fisher Watts, who is charged with second-degree murder in the 2024 Memorial Day weekend killing of Koty Stewart at Ginnie Springs. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether the murder charge against Watts proceeds to trial.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Newberry man jailed for battering mother, throwing her phone during argument

A 49-year-old Newberry man was arrested Monday on a battery charge after Alachua County deputies say he slammed a door on his elderly mother’s hand during an argument over travel assistance. When the 75-year-old victim attempted to call 911, deputies say the suspect grabbed her phone and concealed it to prevent her from reaching help. The suspect has a prior battery conviction from 2010.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Raising Cane’s second Gainesville location opens on Archer Road with drive-thru

A new Raising Cane’s at 3433 SW Archer Road opened Wednesday morning, becoming the chain’s first Gainesville location with a double-lane drive-thru. The first 20 customers received free meals for a year, and a $1,000 donation was made to the Humane Society of North Central Florida at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Animal welfare advocates with PETA held a vigil outside the restaurant during the opening.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun · WCJB TV20

UF Athletic Director Weighs In on Gators Softball Handshake Controversy

Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin addressed the UF softball team’s decision not to shake hands with an opponent, a topic that drew enough attention to come up at SEC spring meetings. The situation, involving the Gators’ club football (CFP) softball program, prompted public comment from Stricklin on the postgame sportsmanship gesture. The full details of his remarks were not available due to a paywall, but the issue reached conference-level discussion.

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Sources: The Gainesville Sun

UF researchers find hurricanes can bring unexpected benefits for wildlife

University of Florida researchers are studying how tropical storms and hurricanes, despite their destructive force, can produce positive outcomes for certain wildlife species and ecosystems. The work suggests that the ecological effects of major storm systems are more complex than simple devastation, with some animals and habitats potentially benefiting from hurricane-driven changes to the landscape.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun

Alachua County lifts burn ban as region declares extreme water shortage

Alachua County lifted its countywide burn ban on May 27 after several days of significant rainfall brought the Keetch-Byram Drought Index down from 618 to 415, with more rain expected. At the same time, the Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts declared an extreme water shortage for their portions of Alachua County and surrounding areas due to ongoing drought conditions and declining aquifer levels. Residents are now required to limit landscape irrigation to once a week between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., and non-essential water uses are prohibited.

Sources: Alachua County