Friday, August 14, 2026 · The Gainesville Ledger

Vol. 1 · No. 102 · Friday, August 14, 2026

Public Safety

Former UF Health doctor found dead in Alachua County Jail cell

Chintan Shah, 40, a former UF Health physician, was found unresponsive in his single-occupancy cell at the Alachua County Jail early Thursday morning, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Shah had been held in custody since a July arrest on charges of transmitting and possessing child sexual abuse material, with additional charges filed earlier this week. A death investigation is underway; no cause of death has been released.

Sources: WUFT News · WCJB TV20 · Mainstreet Daily News

City

Gainesville launches $500K grant program to boost businesses near The Streatery

The Gainesville City Commission’s General Policy Committee approved the Streatery Improvement Grant program, making up to $50,000 per business available for public-facing upgrades such as storefronts, outdoor dining furniture, lighting, and accessibility features. Eligible properties fall within a corridor roughly bounded by West University Avenue, Southwest Second Avenue, South Main Street, and Southwest Second Street. The program is designed to amplify the city’s separate $4.5 million transformation of Southwest First Avenue into a pedestrian-oriented corridor expected to be completed this fall.

Sources: The Gainesville Sun · City of Gainesville · WCJB TV20

Community

Latin food truck plaza on University Avenue highlighted for fall semester

A food truck plaza on University Avenue, across from the UF campus, features at least three Latin food trucks recommended for students heading into the fall semester. The Alligator highlighted the cluster of vendors as a dining destination worth visiting during the new academic year.

Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator

Education

6-year-old found two miles from Metcalfe Elementary after dismissal error

A first grader was wrongly released from Metcalfe Elementary on Tuesday and walked approximately two miles before being found near Mount Carmel Church by a school cafeteria worker. The boy’s grandmother had arrived to pick him up and was told he had been sent to an on-campus program, but when staff could not locate him, police were called. His mother, Imari Scott, said the route her son traveled included crossing multiple streets through what she described as a dangerous neighborhood, and she stated she is withdrawing him from the school.

Sources: WCJB TV20

City

Alachua County, Gainesville move to comply with gun rights group’s demands

Florida Carry sent letters to both Alachua County and the City of Gainesville challenging local firearm ordinances as potential violations of state law. Interim City Manager Andrew Persons responded by committing to amend the city’s land development code regarding outdoor shooting ranges, while county commissioners voted Tuesday to begin the process of appealing or revising ordinances that may conflict with state law.

Sources: WCJB TV20

High Springs commissioners table city manager removal, pursue settlement

High Springs city commissioners voted three-to-two Thursday to table a resolution that would have removed City Manager Jeremy Marshall, choosing instead to negotiate a settlement agreement before the next meeting. Marshall has been on administrative leave since last month amid concerns about the city’s financial condition.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20

Gainesville PD drops transgender-inclusive search policy after AG threat

The Gainesville Police Department has rescinded its detainee search policy that took officers’ gender expression into account when assigning who conducts a search, following a legal threat from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Uthmeier had argued the policy violated state law and the Fourth Amendment, and posted a letter from city officials this week confirming the change.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20

In Brief

Alachua County road network still deteriorating despite $26M annual budget — Mainstreet Daily News

Education

Gainesville High teacher fights to keep license after ‘dictator’ superlative incident

Lauren Watts, a former Gainesville High School teacher, appeared in court Thursday to defend her teaching license after awarding a student a superlative during the 2022-23 school year that called him most likely to become a dictator. Attorneys questioned her intentions in allowing students to nominate and vote for classmates in that category, specifically regarding student Thomas Murall. Watts testified that she never meant to embarrass or harm any student.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20

In Brief

New Oak View School opens its doors to Newberry students — WUFT News
Gap between lease end dates leaves Gainesville students temporarily without housing — WUFT News
Google and UF Partner to Expand Diabetes Care Access — The Gainesville Sun

Public Safety

Alachua County deputies search for missing Gainesville man with dementia

Sheriff’s deputies are searching for William Hall, 63, who left his home near Southeast 13th Terrace and has not been located. Hall suffers from late-stage dementia and recently moved to the area, leaving deputies concerned he may not recognize his surroundings. Searchers have deployed a K-9 unit and drone team, and anyone with information is asked to call 352-955-1818.

Sources: WCJB TV20

In Brief

Convicted felon arrested in Gainesville after cross-county vehicle pursuit — Mainstreet Daily News
Fort White man indicted on federal firearms conspiracy charge, trial set for September — Mainstreet Daily News
Alachua County deputies arrest man for carjacking victim in Jonesville parking lot — WCJB TV20

Sports

In Brief

Former UF staffer Ashour Peera named new head coach at Gainesville High — Mainstreet Daily News
Santa Fe, Branford claim titles at Crafty Gemini Preseason Showdown in Alachua — Mainstreet Daily News
Ike Hilliard ranks No. 4 in countdown of top players from UF’s 1996 title team — The Gainesville Sun
Column argues two former Florida Gators deserve Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration — The Gainesville Sun
UF soccer opens 2026 season on the road against UCF — The Independent Florida Alligator
Florida booster Gary Condron launches win-tied NIL club for Gators football — The Gainesville Sun
Jevon Kearse ranked No. 22 among top 30 Gators from the 1996 championship team — The Gainesville Sun
ESPN names Florida RB Jadan Baugh a preseason All-American — The Gainesville Sun

Arts & Culture

Gainesville short film about Mac’s Drive Thru veteran lands on Netflix

A short documentary chronicling the final shift of Sighle Williams, a 37-year employee of Mac’s Drive Thru in Gainesville, has been acquired by Netflix. The film, titled ‘One Last Order,‘ collected multiple honors on the festival circuit, including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2026 Nantucket Film Festival, the Audience Award and Best Documentary prize at the 2026 Aspen Shortfest, and the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the 2026 Miami Film Festival.

Sources: WCJB TV20

Environment

In Brief

North Central Florida landowners urged to apply for conservation aid by Sept. 30 — Mainstreet Daily News

Community

In Brief

Feral and community cats make themselves at home across UF’s campus — The Independent Florida Alligator
Micanopy to honor civil rights figure Lloyd W. Johnson Sr. with street naming, historical marker — Mainstreet Daily News
Federal safety agency warns parents to stop using playset tied to toddler’s death — The Gainesville Sun

State & National

In Brief

Florida’s gubernatorial primary set for Tuesday, Donalds leads GOP field — WCJB TV20