Wednesday, July 8, 2026 · The Gainesville Ledger

Vol. 1 · No. 68 · Wednesday, July 8, 2026

City

High Springs police chief reinstated with warning after extra-duty pay probe

City Manager Jeremy Marshall reinstated Police Chief Antoine Sheppard on Tuesday following an internal investigation that found he had improperly assigned himself extra-duty shifts, misreported compensation, and allowed officers to receive extra-duty pay for ineligible activities; Sheppard received a final written warning rather than termination, and an audit will be conducted to determine how much he was overpaid. Hundreds of residents packed City Hall for a commission meeting that evening, many intending to speak during public comment, but commissioners unanimously voted to postpone the gathering to July 23 after the elevator to the second-floor chambers failed, raising ADA accessibility concerns. The reinstatement drew both public support and calls for greater transparency about the investigation’s findings.

Read the point / counterpoint →

Sources: WCJB TV20

State & National

Federal appeals court strikes down Florida Stop WOKE Act’s university restrictions

A divided 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled 2-1 that the higher education provisions of Florida’s Stop WOKE Act are unconstitutional, finding the state cannot use its role as employer to ban certain viewpoints from university classrooms. The law had barred Florida educators from promoting or endorsing ideas related to race, color, sex, and national origin that the state deemed objectionable. The 85-page ruling rejected Florida’s argument that paying a professor’s salary gave it total control over classroom speech.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20 · WUFT News · The Gainesville Sun

Public Safety

FirstNet installs 160-foot emergency cell tower in Horseshoe Beach

A new 160-foot FirstNet cell site is now active in Horseshoe Beach, giving first responders dedicated wireless connectivity during hurricanes and other emergencies. Officials said the need became apparent after communications failed during Hurricane Helene’s storm surge, and the tower is built 20 feet above ground with battery backup, a generator, and underground fiber to withstand future surges. The site is the first of more than 135 being deployed nationwide.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · Mainstreet Daily News

City

Investigation clears Alachua County Animal Services of most whistleblower allegations

An outside attorney hired to review Alachua County Animal Services concluded that the facility’s practices do not require intervention by the Board of County Commissioners. The probe, completed July 1, found that staff and county resources were sufficient to properly care for animals and that no laws were broken. The investigation was triggered by a 15-page complaint filed in March by a former employee who had resigned in February, and the report found most of the allegations unsubstantiated.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · The Gainesville Sun

City

In Brief

Voter registration deadline for August primary is July 20 — Mainstreet Daily News

Education

In Brief

UF/IFAS researchers working to combat bacterial spot disease in tomatoes — The Gainesville Sun

Public Safety

Gainesville felon charged in armed robbery at Circle K convenience store

A Gainesville man with a prior felony record has been charged in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at a Circle K convenience store in May. Investigators linked him to the crime through evidence uncovered during a separate, unrelated investigation.

Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator

25 sex offenders and predators jailed in Alachua County compliance sweep

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies and FDLE agents arrested 25 people — 16 sex offenders and nine sexual predators — over three days for failing to meet registration requirements. The operation checked 80 individuals in total, and all 25 who were arrested were booked into the Alachua County Jail.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Ginnie Springs murder trial delayed as appeals court reviews rejected plea deal

A trial against Fisher Watts, charged with second-degree murder in the 2024 Memorial Day weekend shooting death of Koty Stewart at Ginnie Springs, has been postponed after the First District Court of Appeals agreed to review a lower court order. Last month, a Gilchrist County judge had rejected a proposed plea agreement that would have reduced the charge to manslaughter. Watts’ brother Dallas, who was also arrested in connection with Stewart’s death, previously pleaded no contest and received a five-year prison sentence.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Business

In Brief

Mac’s Drive-Thru to open walk-up window at Thornebrook Village — Mainstreet Daily News

Sports

In Brief

Buchholz commit Travis Honeycutt named Gainesville Sun Big School Baseball Player of the Year — The Gainesville Sun
Former Florida baseball pitcher Logan Shore inducted into UF Athletic Hall of Fame — The Gainesville Sun
UF baseball pitcher Liam Peterson draws MLB Draft attention — The Gainesville Sun
Florida football adds two cornerback commitments to 2027 recruiting class — The Gainesville Sun

Arts & Culture

In Brief

Weekend arts calendar: Live music, comedy, theater, and Bats at the Library — The Gainesville Sun
Dance Alive National Ballet acquires four works by artist John A. O’Connor — Mainstreet Daily News

Environment

Burmese pythons establish new foothold beyond the Everglades in Charlotte County

Burmese pythons, long associated with South Florida’s Everglades, have been found establishing a significant presence in Charlotte County, marking an expansion of the invasive species into a new part of the state. The development raises concerns about the spread of the large constrictors into ecosystems beyond their previously known Florida stronghold.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun

In Brief

Florida wraps up one of its 10 warmest Junes on record as new heat alerts spread — WUFT News
Saharan dust plume expected to reach North Central Florida by Thursday — WCJB TV20

Community

In Brief

Children’s Trust of Alachua County awards $2M in summer camp scholarships — Mainstreet Daily News
Partnership for Strong Families to hold free child-focused event July 21 — Mainstreet Daily News
HCA’s North Florida Hospital to discontinue professional chaplain program in August — Mainstreet Daily News
HUB International and Westfield donate $7,500 to Gainesville domestic violence nonprofit — Mainstreet Daily News
Animal fund benefit event to offer pet portrait painting in Jonesville on July 22 — Mainstreet Daily News

State & National

Former Florida governor candidate Andrew Gillum arrested in Alabama on drug charges

Andrew Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 Democratic nominee for Florida governor, was arrested in Daphne, Alabama on July 2 and charged with three counts including possession of dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office jail roster, he was released the following day. Local Daphne police were involved in the arrest, though full details remain limited pending official records.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · The Gainesville Sun

In-N-Out Burger announces 6 new locations across 5 states — Florida not among them

In-N-Out Burger is expanding with six new restaurant openings spread across five states, according to reports from the Gainesville Sun. Florida is not currently listed among the states receiving locations, leaving the question of a future Sunshine State presence unanswered.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun

In Brief

Social Security Administration issuing special cards to mark U.S. 250th anniversary — The Gainesville Sun
Walmart and Sam’s Club slash thousands of prices amid tariff pressure — The Gainesville Sun
White House announces 25 ‘Freedom Fuel’ gas stations for the Gainesville region — The Gainesville Sun
FBI Miami seeks man accused in $547 million health care fraud conspiracy — The Gainesville Sun
Florida among states seeing surge in cryptosporidiosis cases — The Gainesville Sun