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Vol. 1 · No. 81 · Tuesday, July 21, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

Environment

Tropical Storm Bertha brings rain and gusty winds to North Central Florida

Tropical Storm Bertha, which strengthened from a tropical depression Monday evening, brought periods of heavy rain and gusty winds to parts of North Central Florida, including Cedar Key, while tracking west-northwest across the Gulf toward southeastern Louisiana. The storm carried maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour, with storm surge and tropical storm watches in effect for portions of the Florida Panhandle and central Gulf Coast. Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the state’s primary concern for the region is rainfall of two to six inches and that conditions did not warrant activating the emergency operations center at a major level.

Sources: WCJB TV20 · WUFT News

Public Safety

Two Gainesville men sentenced to prison in child sex abuse cases

Gainesville police announced that Kolton Kerns, 27, and Robert McBride, 85, have both been sentenced to prison for possessing child sex abuse material and related offenses. Kerns received a 20-year sentence in April, while McBride was sentenced to eight years in January for crimes spanning nearly four decades. Both men have been designated as sex offenders.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Public Safety

Union County teen charged as adult after sexually battering, caging child

A 16-year-old is being prosecuted as an adult after allegedly sexually battering a young child during a birthday party in Union County on May 20 and confining the victim inside a bag in an abandoned trailer. The case was transferred to adult court on Monday while the teenager remains in a Gainesville juvenile detention facility. Charges include sexual battery, false imprisonment, and aggravated child abuse.

Sources: WCJB TV20

City

Education

Public Safety

Three-vehicle crash on Williston Road sends multiple people to hospital

A multi-vehicle collision occurred Monday afternoon at Williston Road near Southeast First Street in Gainesville, with Gainesville Police confirming three vehicles were involved around 2:30 p.m. Firefighters had to extricate one person who was trapped inside a vehicle, and several injured occupants were transported to a hospital for treatment.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Business

In Brief

Sports

Environment

Poe Springs swimming area shut down over algae, low aquifer levels

The Poe Springs swimming area in High Springs has been closed after Florida Springs Institute researchers found excess algae and reduced water clarity during testing on July 16. Alachua County’s Water Resources Manager says a prolonged drought, combined with human water consumption, has drawn down the Florida Aquifer to its lowest levels in more than a decade, leaving insufficient flow through the spring vents. County officials are urging residents to reduce household and garden water use until conditions improve.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Community

State & National

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