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Vol. 1 · No. 47 · Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Community
Lois Forte, who served as a Newberry city commissioner for 22 years, passed away on June 13 at the age of 85. Community leaders remembered her dedication to the residents of Newberry. A celebration of life is scheduled for noon on June 20 at Milam Funeral Home in Newberry, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m.
Sources: Mainstreet Daily News · WCJB TV20
Public Safety
A week-long multi-agency undercover operation called ‘Operation Bad Habits’ resulted in more than 50 arrests across North Central Florida, targeting men who attempted to solicit sexual activity from minors online. Among those taken into custody were a Branford man who traveled to Columbia County to meet who he believed was a child — with a shovel and tarp found in his vehicle — and a Citrus County man who sought nude photos and asked a decoy to find additional children. A St. Augustine man was also arrested after admitting to exchanging illicit photos with someone he believed to be a minor.
Sources: WCJB TV20
Education
The Alachua County School Board voted Tuesday against purchasing Citizens Field from the city of Gainesville, citing reluctance to take on the financial burden and unwillingness to partner with the city. Board members debated several motions before reaching their decision. District documents indicate a full demolition and rebuild of the stadium — which is currently shared by Buchholz, Eastside, and Gainesville high schools — could run between $22 million and $25 million.
Sources: WCJB TV20
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
In Brief
From the Magazine
SHOW PREVIEW
Lifted Riffs, AITA, The 91’s and SWANYX at Signal. Doors 8 p.m., show 8:30, 21 and up.
By Craft Lemon
This date in Gator history
2017
On June 20, 2017, Florida defeated Louisville 5–1 in College World Series bracket play at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, keeping the Gators unbeaten in the tournament. The win was a critical step in Florida’s run to their first-ever baseball national championship, which they clinched on June 27 by sweeping LSU in the CWS Finals. The 2017 title made Florida one of only a handful of schools to win national championships in baseball, basketball, and football.
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